Michael Cohen, Donald Trump’s former fixer and right-hand man, alleged on Friday that Letitia James and Alvin Bragg “ pressured and coerced” him to only provide information and testimony that would satisfy the government’s desire to build the cases against and secure a judgment and convictions against President Trump.”
Right-wing media immediately ran with it, and even Donald Trump decided to take time from napping to react to the essay on social media, alleging his 34-count conviction was “a SET UP,” and blaming “horrible Radical left people” doing everything possible “to destroy our Country.”
The timing is curious, considering Trump has been pressuring and coercing Jerome Powell through threats of a criminal indictment to lower interest rates. On Friday night, it was revealed that the Justice Department was criminally investigating Mayor Frey and Governor Walz. Senator Kelly and House Democrats are under investigation for urging military members to refuse illegal orders.
It seems like, wait for it, projection and muddying the waters. It also continues to distract from the Trump-Epstein Files, which have not been released.
However, why would Michael Cohen join the fray?
His remarkable accusation begs several questions: what prompted Cohen to admit this in 2026? If he was coerced, then what did he lie about? Also, why did Cohen spend the last several years promoting himself as a reformed truth-teller who sacrificed so much to make amends for his years of criming for Trump?
Most likely, this is all bullshit, and Cohen is up to his old tricks and games. Additionally, this is closely related to the Epstein Files. Ellie Leonard’s subscriber found a document in the Epstein Files that revealed Cohen’s attorneys sought a Rule 35 consideration, which allows for a reduction in sentence, based on Cohen alleging he had “heard Trump say things about Epstein.”
Excuse me?
Why has Cohen never admitted this before? What exactly did he hear? What does he know about Trump and Epstein? Does this explain why Cohen has been so sketchy and evasive whenever he is asked about the Epstein files? Is this why he blew up on Zev Shalev and Tara Palmeri when they asked questions about Epstein?
I went live upon learning of this and was lucky to catch Lev Parnas, who was driving home from the airport.
We broke it all down for you, and I hope it is helpful.
***Because I’m a terrible capitalist, here’s a great 25% off discount for new paid subscribers. It’ll only be about $3.75/month or $38/year. It’ll be up all of January.
There are no paywalls, and The Left Hook continues depending on the kindness of our readers.
Thank you Heather Delaney Reese, Caro Henry, Dani Smart, Lyudmila Piker, Elaine Cimino, and many others for tuning into my live video with Lev Parnas! Join me for my next live video in the app.
