There was a time when Donald Trump’s longtime attorney and personal “fixer,” Michael Cohen, famously said that he would “take a bullet” for his boss. Then Cohen’s office, home, and hotel room were raided by the FBI and Cohen stood in a courtroom faced with a barrage of possible state charges which, if he is found guilty, cannot be pardoned by the president.
His loyalties have changed.
Hell knows no fury, like a personal fixer scorned.
Michael Cohen tells @GStephanopoulos, he is no longer willing to “take a bullet” for Trump.Buy popcorn. ?
— Ana Navarro (@ananavarro) July 2, 2018
In an interview with George Stephanapolous, Cohen made clear where his loyalties lie now.
‘When I pointed out to Cohen that he wasn’t repeating past vows to “take a bullet” and “do anything” to protect the president, the longtime Trump loyalist left little doubt about where he stands now, saying simply: “To be crystal clear, my wife, my daughter and my son, and this country have my first loyalty.”’
Spent Saturday afternoon with @GStephanopoulos @abc (not on camera) interview for Monday’s @GMA. My silence is broken! pic.twitter.com/ed6WRYpvVA
— Michael Cohen (@MichaelCohen212) July 2, 2018
Previously, Trump and Cohen shared defense attorneys and had a collaborative legal plan. Recently, Cohen fired the lawyers he shared with the president and retained Guy Petrillo, a lawyer who once headed U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan, the office that is now conducting an investigation into Cohen’s business and personal dealings both with Trump and other clients.
Cohen said he will “put family and country first,” ahead of any loyalty to the president https://t.co/wbDhjIkjQ1
— POLITICO (@politico) July 2, 2018
As for the burning question as to whether or not Trump was aware of and directed Cohen on the $130,000 payment to adult film star and producer Stormy Daniels, Cohen was unable to say at this time, but made clear that he intends to answer that question as soon as he can.
‘I want to answer. One day I will answer. But for now, I can’t comment further on advice of my counsel.’
See the full segment on Stephanapolous’s interview with Michael Cohen below:
Featured image screengrab via Twitter by @michaelcohen212
