Trump claims Michael Cohen asked him for a pardon three times and calls his ... trends now
Donald Trump ramped up his attacks on his former lawyer and fixer on Tuesday morning, claiming Michael Cohen asked him three times for a presidential pardon.
Cohen is a key witness as prosecutors build their case against Trump over $130,000 of hush money paid to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
Security has been tightened around Lower Manhattan's court complex as a grand jury considers whether to bring an indictment against the former president.
Trump took to Truth Social in an effort to undermine Cohen's credibility.
'Remember, Michael Cohen was a lawyer who also represented clients other than me, and who did business transactions for himself, like Taxi Cab Medallions, etc. I had nothing to do with his outside businesses,' Trump posted.
Former President Donald Trump on Tuesday tried to undermine the credibility of Michael Cohen, his former fixer and now a key witness in the case against him in New York
Trump used his social media platform to raise questions about Cohen's motives
'On three separate occasions, Cohen asked me to grant him a presidential pardon on events having to do with these outside interests.
'I said, correctly, "NO." Sometime after that he became a Fake Storyteller, and began to lie about events!"
In 2017, Cohen pleaded guilty to tax fraud (among other charges) which related to income from his taxi cab business.
Trump revealed at the weekend he was expecting to be arrested on Tuesday, although aides have since said he was responding to leaks and media reports rather than a formal plan for his surrender.
Instead, reports suggest the grand jury has yet to finish hearing evidence and another witness may be called on Wednesday.
On Monday it heard from Robert Costello, a lawyer with close ties Trump aides.
