Trump trial: Cohen reveals earning $4.4 million from anti-Trump literature and podcast

NEW YORK — Michael Cohen testified Monday during Donald Trump’s hush money trial that he made millions from books and a podcast that are centered on Cohen’s grievances with the former president.

Cohen said he raked in more than $3 million from his books Disloyal and Revenge and $1 million from his podcast Mea Culpa since the fall of 2020, estimating that his earnings totaled $4.4 million.

Cohen’s remarks came as Trump attorney Todd Blanche grilled Cohen during cross-examination about how Cohen has profited for years by salaciously railing against Trump to readers and listeners.

Blanche asked Cohen if he has been shopping around a television show about himself called The Fixer. Cohen worked as Trump’s attorney and fixer when Cohen paid porn star Stormy Daniels to silence her so she would not come forward with claims of a years-old affair with Trump right before the 2016 election.

“Not I pitching it, but there is a television show,” Cohen said, clarifying that his friend was shopping it around with Cohen’s permission. Cohen said the show has not been picked up by anyone.

Blanche also asked if Cohen was working on a third book about Trump. Cohen said he was but that he was not negotiating prices for it yet.

Blanche suggested that even though Cohen is a subpoenaed witness in Trump’s trial, Cohen has a monetary incentive to testify against Trump. Cohen went on a media blitz in the lead-up to the trial, teasing his highly anticipated testimony. He also conducted livestreams on TikTok during which he talked about the trial, garnering donations through his followers on the popular Chinese-owned app.

Trump’s defense attorney noted that Cohen’s “journey” from the time he got out of jail in 2020 until the present day has been “near daily attacks on President Trump.”

“Sure,” Cohen replied.

“Not sure. Yes or no?” Blanche asked.

“Yes,” Cohen clarified.

Cohen pleaded guilty to tax evasion, campaign finance violations, lying to a bank, and lying to Congress in 2018. One of his crimes was related to his payment to Daniels, for which Trump is now on trial. Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison, and he has persistently blamed Trump for the ordeal.

When asked about monetary gains Cohen could see from the trial, Cohen testified that he had a financial interest in the case but claimed that it would be better for him if Trump were exonerated.

“It’s better if he’s not [convicted] for me because it gives me more to talk about in the future,” Cohen said.

Cohen also admitted he is considering running for Congress due to the name recognition he has built.

Blanche has spent much of his cross-examination undercutting Cohen’s credibility, highlighting his willingness to lie to Trump, his past perjury-related crimes, and how lucrative criticizing Trump has been for Cohen.

Blanche rounded out his cross-examination Monday afternoon with a final question about Cohen’s credibility.

“It’s true that you will lie out of loyalty, correct?” Blanche asked.

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“Yes, sir,” Cohen responded.

The prosecution has concluded presenting its side of the case and now Trump’s team is set to present its defense.