Michael Cohen unveils genesis of 'catch and kill' scheme to bury negative stories about Trump before 2016

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: In a riveting courtroom testimony, Michael Cohen, former attorney to Donald Trump, made a series of claims surrounding the ex-president's efforts to bury negative stories about himself.

Day 13 of the trial, held on Monday, May 13, delved into the intricate dealings between Cohen, Trump, and key figures in the media.

The doorman's tale and National Enquirer's involvement with Trump

The saga began in the fall of 2015 when Cohen first caught wind of a salacious rumor circulating about Trump. A former doorman at Trump Tower purportedly claimed that Trump had fathered an illegitimate child with a maid, a story swiftly debunked as false.

Cohen, ever loyal to his then client, immediately apprised Trump of the situation, seeking guidance on how to proceed. Trump's response, as recounted by Cohen on the stand, was unequivocal: "Make sure that this story doesn't get out. You handle it."

With Trump's directive in mind, Cohen embarked on a mission to quash the tale, enlisting the help of David Pecker, publisher of the National Enquirer, and Dylan Howard, the tabloid's editor.

Together, they brokered a deal to acquire the rights to the story for $30,000, marking the first time the National Enquirer had ever purchased a story about Trump. Cohen oversaw the transaction, ensuring Trump's interests were safeguarded every step of the way.

Trump's alleged approval of the contract signaled a green light for Cohen to proceed with the arrangement, CBS News reported.

Trump Tower meeting between Donald Trump, Michael Cohen and David Pecker

As Trump's presidential campaign gained momentum, Cohen, Trump, and Pecker convened at Trump Tower in New York, a pivotal meeting that prosecutors would later characterize as the genesis of a "catch and kill" scheme.

Pecker pledged to be Trump's "eyes and ears," vowing to intercept negative stories before they reached the public domain.

Cohen recounted the discussions held during the meeting, highlighting the "power of the National Enquirer, in terms of being located at the cash register of so many supermarkets and bodegas."

"If we could place positive stories about Mr Trump, that would be beneficial. If we could place negative stories about some of the other candidates, that could also be beneficial," he said.

In the ensuing months, the National Enquirer unleashed a barrage of scandalous articles targeting Trump's adversaries, curated to bolster the real estate mogul's image and undermine his opponents.

Cohen revealed that he was privy to previews of these stories, which ranged from disparaging depictions of 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton to outlandish accusations linking Senator Ted Cruz's father to the assassination of President John F Kennedy.

"Some of the negative ones that I would receive from David or from Dylan Howard was Hillary Clinton wearing very thick glasses and some allegations that she had some brain injury," Cohen testified. 

Michael Cohen reflects on working for Donald Trump

That said, reflecting on his tenure with Trump, Cohen reminisced about his initial employment with the real estate mogul in the early 2000s, describing it as an "amazing experience."

“I was honored,” Cohen said of the time Trump offered him a full-time job in the early 2000s after he helped the real estate mogul with an ornery co-op board at one of his namesake properties. He highlighted his role as Trump's problem-solver, emphasizing his dedication to fulfilling Trump's directives. “I would only answer to him," he told jurors.

“It was fantastic. Working for him, especially during those 10 years, was an amazing experience in many, many ways,” Cohen continued.

“There were great times, there were several less-than-great times, but for the most part, I enjoyed the responsibility that was given to me. I enjoyed working with my colleagues at the Trump Organization, the Trump children. It was a big family.”

However, Cohen's testimony also exposed a darker side to his relationship with Trump, characterized by manipulation and deception to satisfy Trump's desires. He admitted to lying and bullying on Trump's behalf, driven solely by the goal of pleasing him. Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger asked him, "Why?"

“To accomplish a task”, Cohen responded. “The only thing on my mind was to accomplish the task to make him happy.”

“When he tasked you with something, he would say: ‘Keep me informed,'” Cohen added. “You would [go] straight back and tell him, especially if it was a matter that was upsetting to him.”