Donald Trump on His Former Longtime Lawyer Michael Cohen
#DonaldTrump 6/15/18: "I always liked Michael ❲Cohen❳. And he’s a good person." » #Trump 11/29/18: "He’s a weak person and what he’s trying to do is get a reduced sentence, so he’s lying." Click To Tweet
Donald Trump on His Former Longtime Lawyer Michael Cohen
THEN
2007 - June 2018

- Feb 22, 2007
New York Post, Feb 22, 2007
Upping The Ante
- Aug 6, 2012
Listen to my EVP @MichaelCohen212 on America's Radio News Network right now. If I know Michael, it will be great.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 6, 2012
- Jan 11, 2017
Washington Post, Jan 11, 2017
Donald Trump’s big press conference transcript: Annotating everything the president-elect said
- June 29, 2017
Audio recording is here (starts at 6:36): Donald Trump fundraiser June 29, 2017
The Intercept (via Daily Beast), Feb 25, 2018
Trump’s Longtime Lawyer, Michael Cohen, Knows Way Too Much. So Why is He Still in Exile?
- April 21, 2018
he New York Times and a third rate reporter named Maggie Haberman, known as a Crooked H flunkie who I don’t speak to and have nothing to do with, are going out of their way to destroy Michael Cohen and his relationship with me in the hope that he will “flip.” They use….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 21, 2018
….non-existent “sources” and a drunk/drugged up loser who hates Michael, a fine person with a wonderful family. Michael is a businessman for his own account/lawyer who I have always liked & respected. Most people will flip if the Government lets them out of trouble, even if….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 21, 2018
….it means lying or making up stories. Sorry, I don’t see Michael doing that despite the horrible Witch Hunt and the dishonest media!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 21, 2018
- June 15, 2018
The Hill, June 16, 2018
Cohen called out on New York street as ‘that guy that’s going to jail’
#DonaldTrump 6/29/17: "I have always liked & respected ❲Michael Cohen❳." » #Trump 12/16/18: "Michael Cohen…became a ‘Rat’ after the FBI…BROKE INTO AN ATTORNEY’S OFFICE!" Click To Tweet
NOW
July 2018 - 2019

July 25, 2018 -
What kind of a lawyer would tape a client? So sad! Is this a first, never heard of it before? Why was the tape so abruptly terminated (cut) while I was presumably saying positive things? I hear there are other clients and many reporters that are taped – can this be so? Too bad!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 25, 2018
July 27, 2018 -
…..I did NOT know of the meeting with my son, Don jr. Sounds to me like someone is trying to make up stories in order to get himself out of an unrelated jam (Taxi cabs maybe?). He even retained Bill and Crooked Hillary’s lawyer. Gee, I wonder if they helped him make the choice!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 27, 2018
Aug 22, 2018 -
If anyone is looking for a good lawyer, I would strongly suggest that you don’t retain the services of Michael Cohen!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2018
Aug 22, 2018 -
I feel very badly for Paul Manafort and his wonderful family. “Justice” took a 12 year old tax case, among other things, applied tremendous pressure on him and, unlike Michael Cohen, he refused to “break” – make up stories in order to get a “deal.” Such respect for a brave man!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 22, 2018
- Oct 17, 2018
Associated Press, Oct 17, 2018
Read the transcript of AP’s interview with President Trump
Nov 29, 2018 -
Newsweek, Nov 29, 2018
"He is a weak person and not very smart," Pres. Trump says about Michael Cohen. "He has himself a big prison sentence and he is trying to get a much lesser prison sentence by making up a story." https://t.co/vEE5vZwqpw pic.twitter.com/ATaF2VuVVT — CBS News (@CBSNews) November 29, 2018
Donald Trump Says Michael Cohen Is ‘Lying’ but Even If He’s Telling the Truth It’s Fine
Dec 3, 2018 -
“Michael Cohen asks judge for no Prison Time.” You mean he can do all of the TERRIBLE, unrelated to Trump, things having to do with fraud, big loans, Taxis, etc., and not serve a long prison term? He makes up stories to get a GREAT & ALREADY reduced deal for himself, and get…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2018
….his wife and father-in-law (who has the money?) off Scott Free. He lied for this outcome and should, in my opinion, serve a full and complete sentence.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2018
Dec 3, 2018 -
“I will never testify against Trump.” This statement was recently made by Roger Stone, essentially stating that he will not be forced by a rogue and out of control prosecutor to make up lies and stories about “President Trump.” Nice to know that some people still have “guts!”
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 3, 2018
“Cohen was guilty on many charges unrelated to me, but he plead [sic] to two campaign charges which were not criminal and of which he probably was not guilty even on a civil basis. Those charges were just agreed to by him in order to embarrass the president and get a much reduced prison sentence, which he did-including the fact that his family was temporarily let off the hook. As a lawyer, Michael has great liability to me!”
Dec 13, 2018 -
I never directed Michael Cohen to break the law. He was a lawyer and he is supposed to know the law. It is called “advice of counsel,” and a lawyer has great liability if a mistake is made. That is why they get paid. Despite that many campaign finance lawyers have strongly……
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 13, 2018
….stated that I did nothing wrong with respect to campaign finance laws, if they even apply, because this was not campaign finance. Cohen was guilty on many charges unrelated to me, but he plead to two campaign charges which were not criminal and of which he probably was not…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 13, 2018
….guilty even on a civil basis. Those charges were just agreed to by him in order to embarrass the president and get a much reduced prison sentence, which he did-including the fact that his family was temporarily let off the hook. As a lawyer, Michael has great liability to me!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 13, 2018
Dec 16, 2018 -
Remember, Michael Cohen only became a “Rat” after the FBI did something which was absolutely unthinkable & unheard of until the Witch Hunt was illegally started. They BROKE INTO AN ATTORNEY’S OFFICE! Why didn’t they break into the DNC to get the Server, or Crooked’s office?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 16, 2018
Jan 12, 2019 -
Fox News (via Deadline), Jan 12, 2019
Here's Donald Trump on Judge Jeanine talking about Michael Cohen testifying before Congress where he says "people want to look at" Cohen's "father-in-law"pic.twitter.com/wt8MHpKQlt — Zachary #FBPE 🇪🇺 (@zatchry) January 23, 2019
Donald Trump On Working For Russia: 'Most Insulting Thing Ever Been Asked'
Jan 18, 2019 -
Kevin Corke, @FoxNews “Don’t forget, Michael Cohen has already been convicted of perjury and fraud, and as recently as this week, the Wall Street Journal has suggested that he may have stolen tens of thousands of dollars….” Lying to reduce his jail time! Watch father-in-law!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 18, 2019
Jan 23, 2019 -
CNBC, Jan 23, 2019
Michael Cohen postpones congressional testimony because of threats to family from Trump and Giuliani
Jan 24, 2019 -
So interesting that bad lawyer Michael Cohen, who sadly will not be testifying before Congress, is using the lawyer of Crooked Hillary Clinton to represent him – Gee, how did that happen? Remember July 4th weekend when Crooked went before FBI & wasn’t sworn in, no tape, nothing?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 24, 2019
Feb 27, 2019 -
Michael Cohen was one of many lawyers who represented me (unfortunately). He had other clients also. He was just disbarred by the State Supreme Court for lying & fraud. He did bad things unrelated to Trump. He is lying in order to reduce his prison time. Using Crooked’s lawyer!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 27, 2019
Feb 28, 2019 -
Press conference in Hanoi, Vietnam
Vox, Feb 28, 2019
Read the full transcript of Trump’s North Korea summit press conference in Vietnam
Feb 28, 2019 -
Fox News, Feb 28, 2019
'Hannity' exclusive: Trump explains decision to exit Kim negotiation
March 1, 2019 -
Wow, just revealed that Michael Cohen wrote a “love letter to Trump” manuscript for a new book that he was pushing. Written and submitted long after Charlottesville and Helsinki, his phony reasons for going rogue. Book is exact opposite of his fake testimony, which now is a lie!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 1, 2019
March 1, 2019 -
Oh’ I see! Now that the 2 year Russian Collusion case has fallen apart, there was no Collusion except bye Crooked Hillary and the Democrats, they say, “gee, I have an idea, let’s look at Trump’s finances and every deal he has ever done. Let’s follow discredited Michael Cohen…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 1, 2019
…and the fraudulent and dishonest statements he made on Wednesday. No way, it’s time to stop this corrupt and illegally brought Witch Hunt. Time to start looking at the other side where real crimes were committed. Republicans have been abused long enough. Must end now!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 1, 2019
March 1, 2019 -
Michael Cohen’s book manuscript shows that he committed perjury on a scale not seen before. He must have forgotten about his book when he testified. What does Hillary Clinton’s lawyer, Lanny Davis, say about this one. Is he being paid by Crooked Hillary. Using her lawyer?
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 1, 2019
March 2, 2019 -
Virtually everything failed lawyer Michael Cohen said in his sworn testimony last week is totally contradicted in his just released manuscript for a book about me. It’s a total new love letter to “Trump” and the pols must now use it rather than his lies for sentence reduction!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 3, 2019
March 2, 2019 -
The brand new manuscript for a new book by failed lawyer Michael Cohen shows his testimony was a total lie! Pundits should only use it.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 3, 2019
March 3, 2019 -
After more than two years of Presidential Harassment, the only things that have been proven is that Democrats and other broke the law. The hostile Cohen testimony, given by a liar to reduce his prison time, proved no Collusion! His just written book manuscript showed what he…..
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 3, 2019
…said was a total lie, but Fake Media won’t show it. I am an innocent man being persecuted by some very bad, conflicted & corrupt people in a Witch Hunt that is illegal & should never have been allowed to start – And only because I won the Election! Despite this, great success!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 3, 2019
March 3, 2019 -
“Look how they’re acting now and how we act when we’re in the majority. What the Democrats are doing is an abuse of power. They couldn’t find anything…they took a Fake Dossier & couldn’t find any Collusion. Now they have a fake witness in Cohen.” Congressman Mark Green, (R-TN).
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 3, 2019
March 3, 2019 -
For the Democrats to interview in open hearings a convicted liar & fraudster, at the same time as the very important Nuclear Summit with North Korea, is perhaps a new low in American politics and may have contributed to the “walk.” Never done when a president is overseas. Shame!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 4, 2019
March 8, 2019 -
Bad lawyer and fraudster Michael Cohen said under sworn testimony that he never asked for a Pardon. His lawyers totally contradicted him. He lied! Additionally, he directly asked me for a pardon. I said NO. He lied again! He also badly wanted to work at the White House. He lied!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 8, 2019
#DonaldTrump 6/29/17: "Michael Cohen is a very talented lawyer. He’s a good lawyer in my firm." » #Trump 8/22/18: "I would strongly suggest that you don’t retain the services of Michael Cohen!" Click To Tweet
Context
Donald Trump‘s’s about-face on his former longtime lawyer Michael Cohen followed reports that Cohen said Trump knew in advance about the June, 2016 Trump Tower meeting where Donald Trump Jr. and other members of the Trump campaign expected to get damaging information on Hillary Clinton from a “Russian government attorney.” Trump continues to deny advance knowledge of the meeting.1CNN, July 26, 2018
Transcript: Cuomo Prime Time – Aired July 26, 2018
retrieved 7/26/182Donald Trump (Twitter), July 27, 2018
“…..I did NOT know of the meeting with my son, Don jr. Sounds to me like someone is trying to make up stories in order to get himself out of an unrelated jam (Taxi cabs maybe?). He even retained Bill and Crooked Hillary’s lawyer. Gee, I wonder if they helped him make the choice!”
retrieved 7/26/18
Trumps’s reversal also followed the surfacing of a September, 2016 recording between Trump and Cohen that Cohen secretly recorded where Trump and Cohen are heard discussing paying to obtain rights to potentially damaging information about Trump from David Pecker, who is a friend of Trump’s and publisher of the National Enquirer and other publications, including a story by former Playboy model Karen McDougal. McDougal wrote a story about her alleged 10-month affair with Trump that began soon after the birth of Trump’s child with his third wife Melania; Pecker bought the rights to the story before the 2016 election and suppressed its release. Cohen later testified that he facilitated hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels and McDougal for Trump, asserting that those payments were made influence the outcome of the 2016 election. Trump has repeatedly denied having extramarital sexual relations with Daniels, McDougal, and other women.3Washington Post, July 20, 2018
In secret recording seized by FBI, Trump and Cohen discuss buying rights to model’s account of alleged affair
retrieved 7/26/184Vox, July 25, 2018
The Trump-Cohen tape, explained
retrieved 7/26/185CNBC, Aug 22, 2018
Trump rips Michael Cohen after former lawyer implicated the president in crimes
retrieved 1/25/19
On February 27, 2019 Cohen testified against Trump before the House Oversight Committee. Cohen painted an damning portrayal of Trump, characterizing him a ‘racist,’ ‘conman,’ a ‘cheat,’ a serial liar, and someone who will not give up power peaceably if he loses in 2020.6Politico, Febr 27, 2019
Cohen testimony on Trump: ‘He is a racist. He is a conman. He is a cheat.’
retrieved RetrievedDATE7CNN, Feb 27, 2019
Michael Cohen testifies before Congress
retrieved 3/2/19
“Given my experience working for Mr. Trump, I fear that if he loses the election in 2020 that there will never be a peaceful transition of power. And this is why I agreed to appear before you today.”
– Michael Cohen, February 27, 20198CNN, Feb 27, 2019
Michael Cohen testifies before Congress
retrieved 3/2/19