The defense attorney for ex-President Donald Trump promptly interrogated Michael Cohen regarding his TikTok account during Tuesday’s proceedings. Cohen has been using the platform to host live streams, raise funds, and discuss the case while criticizing Trump.
Trump’s defense attorney, Todd Blanche, asked Cohen, “We’ve never met, but you know who I am, don’t you?” according to Matthew Russell Lee of the Inner City Press. Cohen responded, “Yes.”
“You called me a little shit on Tiktok?” Blanch followed up.
“Sounds like something I would say,” Cohen said, forcing Justice Juan Merchan to order counsel to “Approach!”
They're back.
Justice Merchan: Mr. Blanche?
Trump's lawyer Todd Blanche: We've never met, but you know who I am, don't you?
Cohen: Yes.
Blanche: You called me a little shit on TikTok?
Cohen: Sounds like something I would say.
Justice Mercan: Approach!— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) May 14, 2024
Katelynn Richardson, the courts reporter for Daily Caller, highlighted that Merchan removed the question from the official record. In a late April article, ABC News extensively covered Cohen’s TikTok activity and its potential implications for the prosecutors in the trial:
“As he awaits his turn to take the witness stand, Cohen has discussed Trump, the ongoing trial, and the testimony already underway during nightly livestreams on TikTok which appear to be earning him financial benefit through viewers’ donations, according to hours of his streams viewed by ABC News. And while the undertaking doesn’t appear to run afoul of any court order, experts say it hurts the already-blemished credibility of an essential witness in the case. “I’d be furious,” said ABC News contributor and former Georgia prosecutor Chris Timmons. “As a prosecutor, the last thing you want your witness to do is to be talking about the case in a forum other than the courtroom.”’
Trump's lawyer Blanche: Lanny Davis, your lawyer, do you recall him saying line prosecutors to report to the top?
Prosecutor Hoffinger: Objection!
Justice Merchan: Sustained.
Blanche: Do you remember the prosecutors being frustrated you leaked to the press?
A: No— Inner City Press (@innercitypress) May 14, 2024