Michael Cohen reveals names of three press contacts he used for positive Trump stories, Internet calls them 'trifecta of traitors'

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Former attorney Michael Cohen, a star witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial, disclosed the names of three contacts he had to push positive stories about the former president.

Cohen, the former fixer and lawyer of Trump, testified on Thursday, May 16, that he had close relationships with TV journalists Chris Cuomo of NewsNation, Katy Tur of MSNBC, and The New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman.

Defense attorney Todd Blance mentioned the names of the three media personalities and pressed the key witness about how he worked with them to publish positive stories about Trump as well as himself.

The Trump attorney asked, "You worked very hard to get positive stories in the press about President Trump and all the things he was doing?" as per MSNBC's Katie Phang's live reporting on X (former Twitter).

"That's correct," Cohen responded.

The former Trump fixer was back on the witness stand on day 18 of the historic trial, where the defense grilled him.

Michael Cohen reveals he checked with Trump before contacting reporters

Further into the testimony, Cohen revealed that he had practiced checking with Trump before reaching out to any reporter, or else "it would cause him to blow up at me, and two, it would probably be the end of my job."

According to Daily Mail, the ex-attorney also testified about giving "tips" and "scoops" to the reporters and admitted he asked NYT reporter Haberman to write positive stories about himself. 

"You met [Haberman] before the early 2000s, and you would describe your relationship as very strong? Blanche asked, according to Phang's report on X.

"I would," Cohen replied.

"You asked her to write a story saying how good it was that you had that role for president Trump, right?" the defense attorney continued, to which Cohen responded with a "Yes."

The former Trump attorney paid the hush money to Stormy Daniels on behalf of the ex-president before the 2016 election to hide the alleged sexual encounter between the adult film actress and his client.

Trump faces 34 counts for falsifying his business records to cover up the payment that he reimbursed to Cohen under the pretext of legal expenses.

According to the prosecution, suppressing Daniels' story was Trump's attempt to influence the 2016 election because he feared negative stories would affect his stand with women voters. Earlier, the first witness, David Pecker, former National Enquirer publisher, testified about the "catch and kill" scheme through which Trump suppressed negative stories from going public.

Internet slams reporters

Internet users criticized the three reporters Cohen named during the testimony for promoting positive stories about Trump.

One user labeled them "The trifecta of traitors!"

"This is exactly what I remember. Maggie Habberman used to hang out with Trump and his family, go to functions w/them, then write favorable articles. Katy Tur used to smile all up in Trump’s face, like a sycophant who was so taken with him," another claimed.

A third user added, "They knew and should be held accountable." A fourth response read, "Not surprised by these sellouts."

Another user said, "We knew Katy Tur was a plant."

"All undercover maga," someone else chimed in. Meanwhile, an individual wrote, "I guess it's good to know we were right all along, but it's sad for America and freedom of the press that so much of the media remain lackeys for Trump."

Another user added, "Too many educated and influential Americans have traded their $oul$."

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