In the wake of the guilty verdict in his hush money trial, former President Donald Trump's behavior might become "more unhinged" as his sentencing date draws near, according to Michael Cohen, Trump's ex-lawyer.
Cohen made this prediction during an appearance on MSNBC earlier this week.
Cohen, who served as a crucial witness for the prosecution in Trump's criminal case, echoed the sentiments of former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. Christie recently suggested that the prospect of incarceration could be instilling fear in Trump.
"Chris Christie is absolutely 100 percent right," Cohen stated. "Donald is a very interesting character. To him, four or five weeks might seem like an eternity. However, as the sentencing date approaches, you'll likely witness him becoming increasingly unhinged, if that's even possible."
A New York City jury found Trump guilty last week of falsifying business records related to a hush money payment that Cohen made to former adult film actress Stormy Daniels just before the 2016 election. Trump, who was the presumptive Republican presidential nominee at the time, was convicted on all 34 counts.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's case argued that the payment was intended to stop Daniels from publicizing her claim of a sexual encounter with Trump, which could have jeopardized his election chances. Trump has consistently dismissed the case as a "witch hunt," maintaining his innocence and denying Daniels' allegations. He has already declared his intention to appeal the verdict.
"Today is an important day for accountability and the rule of law. While it has been a difficult journey for me and my family, the truth always matters," Cohen communicated via text message after the verdict.
Trump's sentencing is set for July 11, mere days before the Republican National Convention. Depending on the decision of Judge Juan Merchan, who presided over the trial, Trump could potentially face jail time, although some consider this unlikely.
Cohen, during another appearance on MSNBC over the weekend, expressed his concerns about the potential implications of Trump's incarceration.
"I'm afraid of him going to jail, not for his sake, but for ours. I'm more concerned for the American people because this man was privy to four years of national security briefings," he stated. "Moreover, if he becomes the Republican nominee, he will start receiving these briefings again. Consider the implications."
Login