Former President Trump Cleared of Stormy Daniels ‘Hush Money’ Allegations as Judge Sets Trial Date
New York City, NY – In a stunning development, a 2018 letter from Michael Cohen’s lawyers has resurfaced, clearing former President Donald Trump of any involvement in the Stormy Daniels ‘hush money’ scandal. The revelation comes as a Manhattan judge has set the trial date for April 15.
The letter, obtained by the Daily Mail last year, was written by Cohen’s lawyer in 2018 and states that Cohen used his personal funds to pay adult film star Stormy Daniels in 2016. Importantly, the letter also notes that neither the Trump Organization nor the Trump campaign reimbursed Cohen for the $130,000 payment to Daniels. This contradicts Cohen’s previous testimony, which has long been under scrutiny given his conviction for perjury.
The ‘hush money’ scandal revolves around allegations that Trump paid Daniels through Cohen to silence her and prevent the story of their alleged affair from being published. Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has charged Trump with 34 felony counts related to the transaction, but this recent development casts doubt on the validity of these accusations.
Last year, Michael Cohen’s former legal advisor, Robert Costello, appeared before a Manhattan grand jury to set the record straight. Costello publicly criticized Cohen, calling him a “convicted perjurer” and accusing prosecutors of cherry-picking evidence to suit their narrative. Costello revealed that Cohen had used a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) loan to pay off Daniels, recounting a conversation in which Cohen expressed the desire to keep the payment a secret even from his own wife.
In a further blow to Cohen’s credibility, a separate letter from Cohen’s lawyer to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) in 2018 contradicts his earlier testimony. The letter, written by Stephen Ryan of McDermott Will & Emery, reiterated that Cohen used his personal funds for the payment to Daniels and that neither the Trump Organization nor the Trump campaign were involved or reimbursed him. The lawyer also refuted claims of in-kind contributions to any presidential campaign committee.
With these new revelations, the case against Trump faces significant challenges. Critics of the prosecution argue that Cohen’s unreliable testimony and contradictory evidence undermine the credibility of the charges brought against the former president. As the trial date approaches, the legal battle over the Stormy Daniels ‘hush money’ scandal is becoming increasingly contentious.
