Trump hails Cohen critic as ‘most important witness’ testifying in hush money inquiry

Former President Donald Trump has welcomed reports that Robert Costello, a lawyer who briefly provided legal advice to former Trump lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen, is expected to testify before the grand jury in Manhattan investigating an alleged hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels. Costello has since criticized Cohen publicly. Trump’s team has requested Costello’s testimony before the panel, the Wall Street Journal reports.

“Just reported that the most important witness to go before the New York City grand jury, a highly respected lawyer who once represented convicted felon, jailbird, and serial fake storyteller and liar, Michael Cohen, will be doing so tomorrow afternoon,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Cohen reportedly waived attorney-client privilege claims with Costello already, clearing the way for his testimony. Costello publicly recalled that Cohen informed him the payment to Daniels was made to protect Melania Trump and that he also sought a pardon from Trump on Cohen’s behalf, per the Wall Street Journal.

“The information he will present will supposedly be conclusive and irrefutable! Witch hunt!!!” Trump added.

Costello contacted a Trump lawyer claiming to have information that counters Cohen’s account, a source told the Associated Press. Cohen has made multiple appearances before both prosecutors and the grand jury, the latter of which he testified to last Wednesday, per CNN.

In 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty to charges related to the alleged payment to Daniels. He opted to have a different lawyer from Costello represent him on that deal. Trump was invited to testify before the panel, according to NPR.

Manhattan prosecutors are focused on the alleged $130,000 payment made to Daniels during the 2016 election cycle in exchange for her keeping mum about an alleged affair with Trump about a decade earlier. Additionally, prosecutors are reportedly zeroing in on related falsification of business records linked to the payment.

Trump has denied wrongdoing and called the inquiry a witch hunt. On Saturday, he suggested he “will be arrested on Tuesday” and called for protests.

The Washington Examiner reached out to the Manhattan district attorney and Costello for comment.