Michael Cohen testifies Donald Trump directed him to ‘put a spin’ on ‘Access Hollywood’ tape release

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Michael Cohen, once known as Donald Trump’s "fixer," took the stand as a star witness at the former president's hush money criminal trial on Monday, May 13.

His testimony revealed his single-minded devotion to Trump and his role in suppressing negative stories about the former POTUS during the 2016 campaign.

Michael Cohen's sole reason was to make Donald Trump happy

Cohen testified about his involvement in purchasing and burying negative stories about Trump during the 2016 campaign.

He also revealed how Trump instructed him to ‘put a spin’ on the release of the ‘Access Hollywood’ tape.

Cohen, whose $130,000 hush-money payment to adult actress Stormy Daniels is central to the case, stated that his sole objective in working for Trump “was to accomplish the task, to make him happy.”

Washington Post sought 'urgent' comment on Donald Trump's ‘Access Hollywood’ tape

When the 'Access Hollywood' tape resurfaced in October 2016, shortly before the elections, Cohen was in London with his family and friends to celebrate his daughter's 21st birthday and his anniversary.

He stepped away from dinner to take a call from Trump, according to his testimony.

He received an email from Steve Bannon, then the CEO of the Trump's campaign, and showed an email exchange about the tape that Bannon had forwarded to him.

Top campaign officials, including press secretary Hope Hicks, campaign manager Kellyanne Conway, and deputy campaign manager David Bossie, were also included in the email, according to the New York Times.

The email was from David Fahrenthold of The Washington Post, who was seeking comment on the ‘Access Hollywood’ tape. The subject of the email was “Urgent Washington Post Query.”

Donald Trump’s instructions to Michael Cohen after 'Access Hollywood' tape leak

About a month before Trump was elected president that year, The Washington Post revealed a recording of him bragging about grabbing women’s genitals.

He was heard saying he could do so freely “when you’re a star, they let you do it.” Trump said on the recording, “You can do anything,” which was captured on the set of 'Access Hollywood'.

“He wanted me to reach out to all of my contacts in the media. We needed to put a spin on this," Cohen testified on Monday.

Donald Trump came up with an idea to spin 'Access Hollywood' tape as 'locker room talk'

"The spin that he wanted put on it was that this is locker room talk, something that Melania had recommended," Cohen said.

He added it was "at least he told me that’s what Melania had thought, and use that to get control over the story and minimize the impact on him and his campaign," he revealed on the inquiry of prosecutors.

In the tumultuous aftermath of its release, Cohen paid Daniels $130,000 to keep quiet following Trump's instructions, a transaction that was falsely recorded, allegedly with Trump’s knowledge, as a legal expense to avoid campaign finance reporting requirements.

In 2018, Cohen received a three-year prison sentence for his role in the scheme.

Internet reacts to Michael Cohen's testimony about spinning 'Access Hollywood' tape story

The Internet seemed skeptical of Cohen's testimony of 'Access Hollywood' tapes when it came to the Washington Post. Some, however, said it blew them.

"Sounds about right. Cohen's always been like Trump's cleanup guy, spinning stories left and right," wrote one on X.

Another wrote, "If star witness is convicted perjurer and tax evader, you have to have ulterior motive I.e. political."

"Wonder if there is a backroom agreement that if Cohen testifies against Trump, he gets a pardon or a reduced sentence for the crimes he that he committed," asked one. 

"'My toes curl and my heart races whenever a guy says he wants to grab me by the p***y,' said no woman ever," commented one on Trump's 'Access Hollywood' tape recordings.

"Absolute proof that DJT is guilty of the charges brought against him IMHO," wrote one user and another said,  "What blew me away was that Melania thought of the 'locker room talk' narrative."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.