Cohen says Trump directed him to lie about hush money payments

WASHINGTON (Web Desk): Michael Cohen testified Wednesday that President Trump called him in February 2018 and directed him to mislead the public about the president’s knowledge of a hush money payment to adult-film star Stormy Daniels.

Cohen told lawmakers on the House Oversight panel that Trump called him while he was meeting with a reporter in February 2018. He confirmed that Trump had called to coordinate on public messaging about payments to Daniels, who alleges she had an affair with the president.

“What did the president ask or suggest you say about the payments or reimbursements?” Rep. Katie Hill (D-Calif.) asked.

“He was not knowledgeable of these reimbursements and he wasn’t knowledgeable of my actions,” Cohen said.

“He asked you to say that?” Hill asked.

“Yes, ma’am,” Cohen replied.

The Wall Street Journal first reported in January 2018 that Cohen had paid Daniels $130,000 to keep quiet about her alleged affair with Trump. The president has denied the affair took place.

Trump has offered shifting explanations about when he knew about the payments, but initially told reporters that he was unfamiliar with the arrangement to pay Daniels.

Cohen’s testimony, however, indicates Trump was aware of the payments and coordinated on how to portray them while serving as president.

Cohen told lawmakers that his statement issued in February 2018 that he used his own personal funds to pay Daniels and that “neither the Trump Organization nor the Trump campaign was party to the transaction” or reimbursed him was technically accurate.

“I purposefully left out Mr. Trump individually from that statement,” Cohen said.

“Why did you say it that way?” Hill said.

“Because that’s what was discussed to do between myself, Mr. Trump and Mr. Weisselberg,” he said, referencing Trump Organization executive Allen Weisselberg.

Cohen pleaded guilty last year to campaign finance law violations related to the payment to Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal, who also alleged she had an affair with Trump. He said in court documents at the time that he made the payments at Trump’s direction.

Trump has denied the affairs, and has insisted that the payments did not violate campaign finance laws. He has said Cohen would be liable as his former lawyer for any mistakes.