Legal experts are concerned that former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen’s TikTok fundraising videos may have negatively impacted New York’s prosecution of the former president. According to ABC News, Cohen’s livestreams on TikTok discussing Trump and the trial, and garnering financial support from viewers, could undermine his credibility as a witness in the case. While there is no violation of any court order, experts view this behavior as detrimental to the case.
Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew McCarthy described Cohen’s actions as a significant problem for prosecutors, highlighting his lack of credibility due to past convictions. Even Michael Avenatti, from federal prison, criticized Cohen for potentially damaging the prosecution’s case.
Cornell Law School professor William A. Jacobson agreed that profiting from the trial could create conflicts and impact the jury’s perception. Cohen, in response to the criticism, stated he would stop his livestreams. However, the New York prosecution has not commented on the situation.
In other news, New York County Judge Juan Merchan recently ruled that former President Donald Trump violated a gag order during the trial, leading to criminal contempt charges. This development adds to the legal challenges surrounding the case.
Overall, experts and commentators are wary of Cohen’s behavior and its potential consequences for the trial against Trump.
