In April 2018, federal agents raided the home of Michael Cohenformer president Donald Trumpof the lawyer, triggering a series of events that would lead to the first criminal trial of a former president of the United States.
Initially, Trump defended Cohen, but then quickly distanced himself, reporting a pattern of behavior toward those close to him under legal scrutiny.
In contrast, when attention turned to Allen Weisselberg, Trump’s financial custodian, the Trump Organization covered his legal fees. He has provided an indemnity of 2 million dollars on the condition of non-cooperation with the police.
This strategy, however, has not stopped Weisselberg from facing his own legal troubles, including a guilty plea to perjury, the New York Times reported.
The treatment of Cohen and Weisselberg highlights Trump’s approach to crisis management: rewarding loyalty, punishing dissent and controlling the narrative.
Cohen, once a loyal fixer, turned into a central witness against Trump after feeling abandoned. Weisselberg, despite being in legal danger, remained faithful but still found himself behind bars.
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While Trump’s company praised Weisselberg as a “kind and honorable man,” Cohen faced the brunt of the former president’s attacks. Trump sued him, labeling him a “rat” and even calling him “death.”
The former president’s public statements oscillate between praise and insults, often targeting those he perceives as threats. This tactic led to a gag order in the Manhattan criminal case, preventing Trump from attacking potential witnesses.
The upcoming trial in Manhattan, along with other legal challenges in Florida, Georgia and Washington, D.C., will test the effectiveness of Trump’s strategies.
With Cohen set to testify about the secret deal with Stormy Daniels and other former aides likely to take the stand, the trials could reveal the extent of Trump’s influence and its impact on his legal battles.
The outcomes of these cases could ultimately depend on whether Trump’s approach to dealing with those around him has safeguarded his interests or exacerbated his legal risks.
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This content was partially produced with the help of artificial intelligence tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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