Court filings or major news outlets

Cohen Links Trump to $130,000 Payoff in Fourth Week of Hush Money Trial

May 13, 2024, 11:03 PM

In the fourth week of witness testimony, Michael Cohen, former lawyer and fixer for Donald Trump, testified on Day 16 of Trump's hush money trial, implicating the former president in a scheme to pay Stormy Daniels $130,000 to ensure her silence about their alleged affair before the 2016 election. Cohen's testimony included details of how the payment was made and his role in the arrangements. Additionally, an audio recording was presented where Cohen briefed Trump about plans to buy the rights to Karen McDougal's story from the National Enquirer, further tying Trump to attempts to suppress damaging stories prior to the election.