Michael Cohen's friend Rosie O'Donnell encourages him to 'tell the truth' during hush money trial

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Rosie O'Donnell offered words of encouragement to former Donald Trump lawyer, Michael Cohen during his testimony in the hush money trial in Manhattan.

This support marks a continuation of an unlikely bond between the comedian who has been a long-time critic of Trump and the former lawyer that began in 2019 when Cohen was serving prison time for tax fraud and campaign finance violations.

Inside Rosie O'Donnell and Michael Cohen's friendship

O'Donnell and Cohen's bond was a surprising alliance given their vastly different public personas.

The friendship reportedly began during the disgraced lawyer's imprisonment in West Virginia, 

The actress drove to West Virginia to visit Cohen, and even held hands during a six-hour visit, according to Jacob Bernstein of The New York Times.

O'Donnell reflected on the support she provided Cohen during his tough time and said, “When someone is in a relationship that unhealthy and breaks free, it’s a very lonely time.”

The 62-year-old who maintained regular contact with Cohen was also the first guest on his podcast 'Mea Culpa'.

Rosie O'Donnell's words of encouragement to Michael Cohen

As Cohen prepared for his testimony in the hush money trial, O'Donnell sent him encouraging words, saying, "Breathe — relax — tell the truth — u got this. I love u."

Expressing his gratitude, Cohen responded, "Thank you, and truly love you," according to OK Magazine.

As Cohen testified, the former co-host of 'The View' praised his efforts as she said, "You hit a home run."

“I know this has been a tumultuous time, so I check-in. It’s a big thing to be in a position to be able to change the whole country in some way,” O'Donnell told Bernstein.

Donald Trump's public feud with Rosie O'Donnell and Michael Cohen

Trump and O'Donnell's public feud dates back to 2006 when the former president threatened to sue her after she attacked him on air on 'The View' when she was a co-host.

The 77-year-old politician has also targeted his former personal lawyer numerous times.

Cohen is a key witness in Trump's hush money trial and the former president called the disgraced lawyer "a convicted liar."

“Michael Cohen is a convicted liar, and he’s got no credibility whatsoever,” said Trump.

“He was a lawyer, and you rely on your lawyers. But Michael Cohen was a convicted liar. He was a lawyer for many people, not just me," he continued.

"Then he got in trouble because of things outside of what he did for me,” Trump added.