Michael Cohen says he’s “not surprised” that former President Donald Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts, as the 45th president became the first commander in chief to be found guilty on Thursday.
In an interview with George Stephanopoulos on “Good Morning America” Friday morning, Cohen said his 21 hours on the stand during the trial were incredibly difficult.
“Whether it was direct examination or cross-examination, it was all very difficult,” Cohen said. “It was emotionally draining. You have to be perfect. I knew that any mistake I made… would become a topic of conversation that would explode. And so I really just needed to stay focused. It wasn’t easy with Todd Blanche. He’s a wanderer when it comes to questions.
Cohen also told Stephanopoulos that he was done lying and took full responsibility for his role in the affair.
FILE PHOTO: Michael Cohen, former lawyer for former US President Donald Trump, speaks to the press after attending the Trump Organization’s civil fraud trial in New York State Supreme Court in the Manhattan neighborhood of New York, U.S., October 25, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Segar/file photo
Mike Segar/Reuters
“I want people to also remember that I take responsibility for what I did…I shouldn’t have done it,” Cohen said. “I am not unaware of my responsibility. I accepted it and went to prison partly for it.
The former president has pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing. After the verdict was read, Trump attacked the judge and called the trial “rigged (and) shameful.”
It took the jury 10 hours to reach its decision Thursday and sentencing is scheduled for July 11, four days before the Republican National Convention.
“The real verdict will be delivered on November 5th by the people, and they know what happened here and everyone knows what happened here,” Trump said after leaving the courtroom following his conviction.
ABC News
