Understanding Trump’s pressure politics means recognizing a brutal truth: sometimes protecting students, research, and national security requires strategy; not performative resistance.
You lived inside that machine, and you're telling us the only move is to hand him the keys? These aren't contractors or the officers defending this country. Settling early doesn't protect students; it teaches them that threats work.
You documented the playbook. Now help us burn it, not manage it. We don't need survival tips from the guy who wrote the manual. We need you fighting like you have nothing left to lose.
Wow, Disagree 💯- your advice to give into a bully and his tactics is fundamentally flawed. He is going after institutions who have already bent the knee again and again. He is a felon, a thug and a pedophile - never give in or you are operating on false principles and slipping down that slope of corruption.
You need to reread everything through the real Michael Cohen lens, not that mask he wore recently to fool us. Hes back to lying and selling his dignity to the lowest bidder because his lack of self respect is his greatest asset with shady people who need shady pawns to do their dirty work. You get that pardon, buddy! Unsubscribing now, suggest that anyone that didnt like "the old" MC do the same. Lets not get it twisted, he was never reformed, he was out of his usual options. He didnt do a complete about face because he was remorseful or wanted to make amends. He wasnt reborn with empathy and values, he was just throwing his self respect at the wall to see where it would stick. He IS the slimeball grifter you didnt like before. Your attention is currency he trades for support and wen
I agree 100%. Michael basically said, if we bend the knee, we just have to wait out 3 years, and it will all be over. I believe if we all give in to the bully, then it will never end. Voting will be warped into Russian-style elections so that 3 more years turns into an eternity. If everyone were to give him a flat-out no, there would be solidarity in numbers. Why did the Nazis lose? They couldn't face so many fronts.
Settlement is not capitulation. To fight as these institutions thought they could, were never spared further and more extreme demands. Those who settle actually win surviving three more years. After settlement there is no round two.
So Michael, what happens when he comes back a year later and wants a bigger slice of the pie, as he's done with Columbia among others? How do you rationalize that and handle that with respect to your advice to capitulate in the beginning and quickly? Let me guess! Capitulate again!
It’s called a settlement. There is no round 2. It’s about protecting the students, the research, you! You just don’t see the playbook as I do. Survive the 3 years.
Michael, I strongly disagree with the advice you have given. I don’t want to live under the type of authoritarian government that this perpetuates. When businesses and individuals give in to the demands of this demented, unethical and immoral person it only perpetuates the behavior. This administration will not be in power forever. There will be a price to pay for those that caved to his demands.
Diane: Michael Cohen wants to be Trumps fixer again, he's missing being powerful and important. Now his life videos have become a cult again. All I need is a 100,000,000 community. And all of a sudden all will be well for him. He’s a grifter just as his former boss taught him and he wants back being part of the pack. Therefore he will never admit he's in the Epstein files.
I think cynicism is a natural response based on what he did in the past, but I believe he already had his reckoning and now is in on the fight against Trump. He’s giving us Trump’s playbook and helping us to understand things from the inside. I never get the sense that he wants to be back in Trump’s orbit.
Does he want recognition and to be successful- why shouldn’t he? He certainly paid his dues.
Michael Cohen was "Trump's #1 and Fixer" for 12+ years. He knows much more than he is talking about: Trump Epstein, Russia/Israel/Other Country Connections and Trump Business and Personal Information.
People need to question and question and question. Everyday more Liars are revealed thru the Epstein File. etc. Did you all see Howard Lutnick? I think it will become clear that anyone associated with Trump has done wrong and most continue to do wrong. And many Lied, gone along with the Lies and continue to Lie. Slowly, but surely the "Truth will Rise to the Surface."
Michael Cohen could change the dynamics of what is happening with the Trump Administration/Regime. Michael Cohen, this is about being an American Patriot.
In the end, all those that did not come forward will be complicit and held accountable by the American People
No, Dawn Cali, you're wrong as usual.... I'll let Roberta speak for herself. Unless she gives me the okay. Arguing with fools can be exhausting though.
I’m here. I have never been one to adhere to ‘all those other people believe this’ so that’s that. I would rather stand alone, and often have, because the thought of cowering or being afraid to speak up about wrongs, doesn’t fit my nature. It never has. I stand up to bullies even if they are my superiors. It’s sometimes isolating, often frustrating and doesn’t sit well with supervisors or managers. You’re seen as difficult a lot. I’m okay with that. It means I am upholding my belief system, my integrity. I am not afraid to speak my truth, and that makes me a strong advocate for those who need it.
Why don't you repeat what I said, Dawn Cali? Oh, you did. I think that you in particular, not everyone who doesn't share my opinion, is a fool, as revealed in your comments. So speak for yourself, Dawn, or maybe I should call you Parrot. With people like you, it's not about sharing opinions, about discussing an issue, it's about bullying. We deserve better.
Dawn Cali. I responded that way to Hanneke because of some comments she made previously. I believed her. It was an honest mistake on my part. Fool me once and all that.
Really? You can read Michael Cohen's mind? If so, you must be able to read other minds, so please tell us how you do it. If MC joined the MAGA pack again, that would seal his fate. His followers who still support him would really turn on him then, and rightly so. You think he wouldn't care? I beg to differ. Joining forces with Trump and his sycophants would be a lose-lose situation. If MC is the person you claim he is, why was he even asked how to fight Trump in the first place? He gave his honest opinion, agree or disagree. It's called freedom of speech. Some people believe in free speech, but only for themselves apparently.
@dawn, thanks you for knowing what Michael is upto. Unfortunately he's dishonest but like his last boss he misses power and is a grifter like Trump. He's in the Epstein files ( the proof is in the files that have been found) but he's protecting Trump because when he gets his 100 million subscribers it's to help himself and Trumps regime. He wants back into his graces. Watch the podcast he did a day or 2 ago with PDF. That will tell everyone that he learned the constant lying from Trump.
You and Dawn Cali and the rest, what are you trying to achieve? You're here exercising your right to free speech, in a sense, sure, but by trying to denigrate the free speech of others. That's why you need to go. If you noticed, which I feel sure you didn't, I disagreed with Michael in one of my comments here, and many others did too. This is a conversation, but your approach is using innuendo, unproven accusations, and character assassination. If you wanted to disagree without using tactics like those, no one would be calling you trolls, bullies, or be asking you to leave. Michael could ban you, but he hasn't. Why do you think that is? And you want other commenters here to essentially ban Michael. What makes you so special? Answer: Nothing.
Because I canceled my subscription and rarely watch him. His book REVENGE told me enough about him. But feel free to tell him to ban me because he's nothing.
Michael. Settle early is step one of your survival warning. The Domestic violence response is to avoid the bully perpetrator harm. Survival requires a strategy to protect self, promote healthy resources, and create a resistance plan. We are surviving this national domestic enemy era one year in. Step two of the strategy is saying NO loud enough for other survivors to hear, echo, and join the chorus to build a community of NO. Resistance action then is possible and retribution retaliation intensifies as your playbook denotes. Accountability is the next strategy which begins with legal actions. I appreciate you clear identifying survival as an initial strategy that is definitely different than capitulation. I would find your perspective helpful in further identifying the strategy that grounds and leads to the strategy for removing the perpetrator. Say No, join together , take action
Trump’s strategy is simple. Create maximum uncertainty. Apply public humiliation. Escalate the demand. Force a binary choice: surrender or suffer.
I watched him do this to contractors, to media companies, to political opponents. The initial ask is never the point. The spectacle of submission is.
And if you fight? He doubles down. And then, doubles down again.
The most dangerous misconception about Trump is that he will eventually compromise in good faith. He won’t. If he senses weakness, he exploits it. If he senses defiance, he punishes it.
👍 Very strategic. Carney was criticized to no end when trump’s trade war started, and his strategy was to prevent the punishments from expanding, while quietly creating unions and partnerships with other countries. I called it playing chess.
Maybe you and all the other mofos should never have “helped” him to begin with! He wouldn’t be where he is if you & the rest hadn’t “helped” him. We wouldn’t be in this place in history if you & the rest hadn’t “helped” him. 😡🤯🤬
Dawn. This person doesn’t have a Lev Parnas issue. And doesn’t ever need to listen to cohen to know Lev helped create MAGA. Lev has used this as a selling point. He talks about the right wing influencers they hired. How they sat down at a desk to plot out how to bring in low iq voters into the Trump camp. Lev has shown pictures and laughs fondly at the memories. MAGA today is the number one evil. And lev helped create the monstrosity.
Skip Day. Thank you for that. I could not have said it better. I find it hypocritical that Lev’s supporters don’t see this. I have often commented on his ‘fond memories’ and people being in such awe of his experiences and actions.
Michael Cohen Substack Subscribers need to listen to this: PBD Podcast episode (PBD #728, aired Jan 29, 2026), Patrick Bet-David hosts Michael Cohen, Donald Trump’s former personal attorney and fixer.
Michael Cohen said his "Substack audience “would kill me” if they knew."
Brilliant advice. While performative resistance FEELS good, it doesn't usually do all that much good policy-wise. Strategic realignment is needed. Canada and Europe .... well just about everybody except Hungary and Russia...have learned that.
So correct. And we should continue that, if for no other reason than we need to keep our spirits up in the face of an unimaginably evil onslaught from the executive.
your advice is to settle ??? .....you who describes yourself as knowing tRUMP better that anyone ??? ..... you have admitted when giving into tRUMP's demands and threats even a little means that POS will just come back for more....I'm not a lawyer or profess to know the orange bloated gasbag as well as you....but IMO settling with that despicable unhuman is bad advice.
We don’t need to argue this one. Write down on a piece of paper the names of institutions that have been repeatedly attacked. Each attack pushing for more. Include those who bender the knee. Now write out a list of all institutions that saw the battle for what it is, and settled on the issue. Did they withstand more attacks with the vitriol as the initial fighters? The goal of the article is how to survive the next three years.
Anecdotally we see the opposite. Those who settled quickly aren’t the ones sustaining the multiple attacks. Those who fought have found themselves the target repeatedly times. Maybe you are confusing settle with surrender. Settle is a negotiation to avoid further attacks. Surrender is no negotiation, no protection just waving a white flag. The two are different.
Excellent and informative article. Sadly you are spot on. Hard to get your head around, having been raised by wolves I understand, but it’s a lot to process if you haven’t and are not afflicted with being grey and purple. You have to go
through an exorcism to survive. It’s a double bind…damned if you do or don’t.
Next they'll be saying Michael pays us all to support him. I've got a fast food meal lined up today with all the cash Michael's been sending me. (Watch Dawn and friends take that literally...)
On second thought, someone may be paying trolls like Dawn Cali and her friends. Hmm.... But I'll quench that thought, as it's nothing but innuendo, you know, like the kind they like to use against Michael Cohen.
You are literally telling people and institutions to obey in advance. If you haven’t already, read Timothy Snyder’s “On Tyranny”. You’re advising a short term solution which just results in further abuse. Our great moments and heroes didn’t get that way by capitulating. Staring down a bully can take time and MUST take perseverance. If the Founders “just paid” the tea tax, we would still be a colony. If Minnesotans followed your advice, ICE would still be there. Here’s the problem Michael…You think “knowing” Trump is an advantage. Sometimes it is and sometimes it isn’t. This is one of the cases in which it isn’t. You are looking at these situations as someone who used to be on the wrong side and, therefore, you are only considering what TRUMP will do. It would be wise to step away and realize that he has gotten away with everything in his life BECAUSE nobody ever said no. Thats why he keeps doing horrific things. He was never TAUGHT that there actually exist people who have the righteousness and will to say no, whatever the consequences. Then, and only then, can he be broken. You are stuck in and mindset about him that is outdated. Stop relying on “nobody knows him better than I do”. You haven’t known him for years and much has changed. And the stakes are much more serious. I do appreciate many of your insights. However, you should hear this as constructive advice and open your eyes to it rather than assuming everyone who disagrees with some (not all) of what you say as a “hater”. We can have good points too…even if they don’t always agree with your opinion.
I’m on your side 100%. Ruth Ben-Ghiat has written how authoritarians play the long game; you describe how we democrats can live the eternal truth (the opposite of Timothy Snyder’s “politics of eternity”.) Strength lies in conscience and in knowing oneself.
Regarding your years with Trump, you have confessed, “It was my own weakness, and a blind loyalty to this man that led me to choose a path of darkness over light.”
I relate down to the bones. Years ago, I lost myself in a cult. If I learned one thing from that, it was to listen first to myself. Emerson said it: “A man should learn to detect and watch that gleam of light which flashes across his mind from within, more than the lustre of the firmament of bards and sages. Yet he dismisses without notice his own thought, because it is his.”
Through Trump’s encompassing, hateful media, the Maga crowd has fallen for that lustre--as did you and I both. I don’t blame any of us. What makes us all human is the ability to return to love.
Trump wants his enemies to bow down. But the more he continues, the more his hate will ruin him. His lies will collapse and the sun will shine through. All we need do watch. “They also serve who only stand and waite.” --John Milton (1608-1674)
I agree. Michael is a gifted writer. And no doubt knows Trump after "12+ years being Trump's #1 and Fixer." Has anyone asked why Trump dumped him and let him take the fall? Trump covered others, but not Michael?
Michael Cohen needs to decide to change his course and Stand Up to
the Trump Administration/Regime by providing what he knows to the Public.
Hi Dawn, Happy to see someone else fighting in here for the truth!
Michael is also missing the big money. Michael has been dropped by so many; The Meidas Network, Zev, Lev, Ellie, Tara Palmeri and a few other's. And yet his "13" ( not a typo....thirteen & unfortunately, mostly women ) paid subscribers are sticking up for him without questioning a thing he states or doing the slightest investigation on their own. The most important discovery, 13 yr old Katie Johnson. He's also lobbying for a pardon from his friend. I found out a few days ago, Michael has been helping with some legal issue for Trump hoping that assistance will convince Trump to grant Michael the pardon.
I'm assuming you knew all this but I don't believe any of his followers are aware of any of it. Perhaps now, they'll investigate a bit ?? Have a wonderful day!
Wonder. “And yet his "13" ( not a typo....thirteen & unfortunately, mostly women ) paid subscribers are sticking up for him without questioning a thing he states or doing the slightest investigation on their own.”
You have offended many, many people with your inaccurate words.
Dawn. I don’t know the exact percentages so I won’t formulate an argument. But what percent of time was spent at the Trump organization vs in the White House? 90%?
Michael—
You lived inside that machine, and you're telling us the only move is to hand him the keys? These aren't contractors or the officers defending this country. Settling early doesn't protect students; it teaches them that threats work.
You documented the playbook. Now help us burn it, not manage it. We don't need survival tips from the guy who wrote the manual. We need you fighting like you have nothing left to lose.
—Mika
Wow, Disagree 💯- your advice to give into a bully and his tactics is fundamentally flawed. He is going after institutions who have already bent the knee again and again. He is a felon, a thug and a pedophile - never give in or you are operating on false principles and slipping down that slope of corruption.
You need to reread everything through the real Michael Cohen lens, not that mask he wore recently to fool us. Hes back to lying and selling his dignity to the lowest bidder because his lack of self respect is his greatest asset with shady people who need shady pawns to do their dirty work. You get that pardon, buddy! Unsubscribing now, suggest that anyone that didnt like "the old" MC do the same. Lets not get it twisted, he was never reformed, he was out of his usual options. He didnt do a complete about face because he was remorseful or wanted to make amends. He wasnt reborn with empathy and values, he was just throwing his self respect at the wall to see where it would stick. He IS the slimeball grifter you didnt like before. Your attention is currency he trades for support and wen
Oh, please.
I think you're a fool to ignore Michael's advice.
Hi Michael. I think your point is that he needs to win. That seems true
To me tho, settling on things that go against principles and values hurts people.
Fuck that. Fight. If everyone capitulates, the war is lost.
I agree 100%. Michael basically said, if we bend the knee, we just have to wait out 3 years, and it will all be over. I believe if we all give in to the bully, then it will never end. Voting will be warped into Russian-style elections so that 3 more years turns into an eternity. If everyone were to give him a flat-out no, there would be solidarity in numbers. Why did the Nazis lose? They couldn't face so many fronts.
All 50 states should join.
✊ NATIONAL STRIKE CALL TO ACTION
Settlement is not capitulation. To fight as these institutions thought they could, were never spared further and more extreme demands. Those who settle actually win surviving three more years. After settlement there is no round two.
So Michael, what happens when he comes back a year later and wants a bigger slice of the pie, as he's done with Columbia among others? How do you rationalize that and handle that with respect to your advice to capitulate in the beginning and quickly? Let me guess! Capitulate again!
It’s called a settlement. There is no round 2. It’s about protecting the students, the research, you! You just don’t see the playbook as I do. Survive the 3 years.
So short term strategy. Survive until he leaves. What's to stop the successor from pulling the same levers?
If you end up with a successor that behaves like Trump then America has screwed itself beyond repair. Bye bye from the rest of us.
Excellent answer! I couldn't agree with you more. Once he's gone we better make sure we never get even a partial clone!
Never back down to a lying, scam artist, pedofile bully!!
Michael, I strongly disagree with the advice you have given. I don’t want to live under the type of authoritarian government that this perpetuates. When businesses and individuals give in to the demands of this demented, unethical and immoral person it only perpetuates the behavior. This administration will not be in power forever. There will be a price to pay for those that caved to his demands.
Diane: Michael Cohen wants to be Trumps fixer again, he's missing being powerful and important. Now his life videos have become a cult again. All I need is a 100,000,000 community. And all of a sudden all will be well for him. He’s a grifter just as his former boss taught him and he wants back being part of the pack. Therefore he will never admit he's in the Epstein files.
I think cynicism is a natural response based on what he did in the past, but I believe he already had his reckoning and now is in on the fight against Trump. He’s giving us Trump’s playbook and helping us to understand things from the inside. I never get the sense that he wants to be back in Trump’s orbit.
Does he want recognition and to be successful- why shouldn’t he? He certainly paid his dues.
Lisa,
Keep Questioning. Don't stop. Listen to others. Many.
Americans deserve better.
Lisa. I appreciate your comments.
👍
Hanneke,
We are on the same page.
Michael Cohen was "Trump's #1 and Fixer" for 12+ years. He knows much more than he is talking about: Trump Epstein, Russia/Israel/Other Country Connections and Trump Business and Personal Information.
People need to question and question and question. Everyday more Liars are revealed thru the Epstein File. etc. Did you all see Howard Lutnick? I think it will become clear that anyone associated with Trump has done wrong and most continue to do wrong. And many Lied, gone along with the Lies and continue to Lie. Slowly, but surely the "Truth will Rise to the Surface."
Michael Cohen could change the dynamics of what is happening with the Trump Administration/Regime. Michael Cohen, this is about being an American Patriot.
In the end, all those that did not come forward will be complicit and held accountable by the American People
Americans deserve better.
Hanneke. I had to reread your comments. I initially thought you were talking about Lev Parnas. My bad.
Roberta,
Why name someone else? Deflection?
Americans deserve better.
No, Dawn Cali, you're wrong as usual.... I'll let Roberta speak for herself. Unless she gives me the okay. Arguing with fools can be exhausting though.
Mildred,
People that don't share your opinion are not "Fools."
I am sure Roberta can speak for herself.
Americans deserve better.
Dawn Cali.
I’m here. I have never been one to adhere to ‘all those other people believe this’ so that’s that. I would rather stand alone, and often have, because the thought of cowering or being afraid to speak up about wrongs, doesn’t fit my nature. It never has. I stand up to bullies even if they are my superiors. It’s sometimes isolating, often frustrating and doesn’t sit well with supervisors or managers. You’re seen as difficult a lot. I’m okay with that. It means I am upholding my belief system, my integrity. I am not afraid to speak my truth, and that makes me a strong advocate for those who need it.
Why don't you repeat what I said, Dawn Cali? Oh, you did. I think that you in particular, not everyone who doesn't share my opinion, is a fool, as revealed in your comments. So speak for yourself, Dawn, or maybe I should call you Parrot. With people like you, it's not about sharing opinions, about discussing an issue, it's about bullying. We deserve better.
💪👍🇨🇦
Dawn Cali. I responded that way to Hanneke because of some comments she made previously. I believed her. It was an honest mistake on my part. Fool me once and all that.
Really? You can read Michael Cohen's mind? If so, you must be able to read other minds, so please tell us how you do it. If MC joined the MAGA pack again, that would seal his fate. His followers who still support him would really turn on him then, and rightly so. You think he wouldn't care? I beg to differ. Joining forces with Trump and his sycophants would be a lose-lose situation. If MC is the person you claim he is, why was he even asked how to fight Trump in the first place? He gave his honest opinion, agree or disagree. It's called freedom of speech. Some people believe in free speech, but only for themselves apparently.
Mildred,
Freedom of Speech is granted to all Americans thru the Constitution, right?
Cannot understand why my often differing opinion bothers you so much?
Michael Cohen was "Trump's #1" and "Fixer" for 12+ years.
I don't need to read Michael Cohen's mind to know he knows a lot more than he is telling.
Americans deserve better.
@dawn, thanks you for knowing what Michael is upto. Unfortunately he's dishonest but like his last boss he misses power and is a grifter like Trump. He's in the Epstein files ( the proof is in the files that have been found) but he's protecting Trump because when he gets his 100 million subscribers it's to help himself and Trumps regime. He wants back into his graces. Watch the podcast he did a day or 2 ago with PDF. That will tell everyone that he learned the constant lying from Trump.
You and Dawn Cali and the rest, what are you trying to achieve? You're here exercising your right to free speech, in a sense, sure, but by trying to denigrate the free speech of others. That's why you need to go. If you noticed, which I feel sure you didn't, I disagreed with Michael in one of my comments here, and many others did too. This is a conversation, but your approach is using innuendo, unproven accusations, and character assassination. If you wanted to disagree without using tactics like those, no one would be calling you trolls, bullies, or be asking you to leave. Michael could ban you, but he hasn't. Why do you think that is? And you want other commenters here to essentially ban Michael. What makes you so special? Answer: Nothing.
Because I canceled my subscription and rarely watch him. His book REVENGE told me enough about him. But feel free to tell him to ban me because he's nothing.
His name only appears in the files after he was arrested, was about the arrest, trial, etc.
https://substack.com/@levparnas/note/c-214047550?r=56sgfl
Not interested.
Me neither. Go away, Hanneke. Stop bothering people.
Michael. Settle early is step one of your survival warning. The Domestic violence response is to avoid the bully perpetrator harm. Survival requires a strategy to protect self, promote healthy resources, and create a resistance plan. We are surviving this national domestic enemy era one year in. Step two of the strategy is saying NO loud enough for other survivors to hear, echo, and join the chorus to build a community of NO. Resistance action then is possible and retribution retaliation intensifies as your playbook denotes. Accountability is the next strategy which begins with legal actions. I appreciate you clear identifying survival as an initial strategy that is definitely different than capitulation. I would find your perspective helpful in further identifying the strategy that grounds and leads to the strategy for removing the perpetrator. Say No, join together , take action
I really like this. It’s well written and shows leadership and possibly a Mental Health background? 👍
Denis, as a domestic violence counsellor, I appreciate how you validated Michael's strategy/advice through that lens. It totally fits!
Tammy, I so agree with this. It really is perfect, saying this as a Mental Health Therapist. 😊
This is gold:
Trump’s strategy is simple. Create maximum uncertainty. Apply public humiliation. Escalate the demand. Force a binary choice: surrender or suffer.
I watched him do this to contractors, to media companies, to political opponents. The initial ask is never the point. The spectacle of submission is.
And if you fight? He doubles down. And then, doubles down again.
The most dangerous misconception about Trump is that he will eventually compromise in good faith. He won’t. If he senses weakness, he exploits it. If he senses defiance, he punishes it.
Canada has the most educated population in the world. They don't settle. As you well know, the rump will just keeping asking for more and more.
Sometimes, we do. Sometimes not. Carney is strategic.
👍 Very strategic. Carney was criticized to no end when trump’s trade war started, and his strategy was to prevent the punishments from expanding, while quietly creating unions and partnerships with other countries. I called it playing chess.
Yes, good analogy.
True, He's fair
Maybe you and all the other mofos should never have “helped” him to begin with! He wouldn’t be where he is if you & the rest hadn’t “helped” him. We wouldn’t be in this place in history if you & the rest hadn’t “helped” him. 😡🤯🤬
Horan. All the other mofos like Lev Parnas, you mean? The one who created MAGA?
Roberta,
Wow, you have a Lev Parnas issue. I would hope you listen to other people too?
Or is it just the Michael Cohen Reality Show for you?
Americans deserve better.
Dawn. This person doesn’t have a Lev Parnas issue. And doesn’t ever need to listen to cohen to know Lev helped create MAGA. Lev has used this as a selling point. He talks about the right wing influencers they hired. How they sat down at a desk to plot out how to bring in low iq voters into the Trump camp. Lev has shown pictures and laughs fondly at the memories. MAGA today is the number one evil. And lev helped create the monstrosity.
Skip Day. Thank you for that. I could not have said it better. I find it hypocritical that Lev’s supporters don’t see this. I have often commented on his ‘fond memories’ and people being in such awe of his experiences and actions.
People deserve better.
Skip,
Michael Cohen Substack Subscribers need to listen to this: PBD Podcast episode (PBD #728, aired Jan 29, 2026), Patrick Bet-David hosts Michael Cohen, Donald Trump’s former personal attorney and fixer.
Michael Cohen said his "Substack audience “would kill me” if they knew."
https://youtu.be/sp8YK9sTRtI
Watch the video and develop your own opinion.
Americans deserve better.
I have a "Lev Parnas issue" as well. All the innuendoes, to seed doubt. On and on.
Deb,
Watch the video and see what you think?
I had a lot of questions and concerns after watching the video.
Patrick Bet-David hosts Michael Cohen
https://youtu.be/sp8YK9sTRtI
Lev Parnas has his own interpretation. You will have yours.
Americans deserve better.
Horan,
But Michael Cohen could help America now if he would be transparent and honest, huh?
Americans deserve better.
Brilliant advice. While performative resistance FEELS good, it doesn't usually do all that much good policy-wise. Strategic realignment is needed. Canada and Europe .... well just about everybody except Hungary and Russia...have learned that.
Sometimes resistance is not performative. It is just resistance.
So correct. And we should continue that, if for no other reason than we need to keep our spirits up in the face of an unimaginably evil onslaught from the executive.
Bonnie. 🇨🇦👍
your advice is to settle ??? .....you who describes yourself as knowing tRUMP better that anyone ??? ..... you have admitted when giving into tRUMP's demands and threats even a little means that POS will just come back for more....I'm not a lawyer or profess to know the orange bloated gasbag as well as you....but IMO settling with that despicable unhuman is bad advice.
We don’t need to argue this one. Write down on a piece of paper the names of institutions that have been repeatedly attacked. Each attack pushing for more. Include those who bender the knee. Now write out a list of all institutions that saw the battle for what it is, and settled on the issue. Did they withstand more attacks with the vitriol as the initial fighters? The goal of the article is how to survive the next three years.
Anecdotally we see the opposite. Those who settled quickly aren’t the ones sustaining the multiple attacks. Those who fought have found themselves the target repeatedly times. Maybe you are confusing settle with surrender. Settle is a negotiation to avoid further attacks. Surrender is no negotiation, no protection just waving a white flag. The two are different.
wake up....not when dealing with the likes of tRUMP.....there is no one time settlement.
Excellent and informative article. Sadly you are spot on. Hard to get your head around, having been raised by wolves I understand, but it’s a lot to process if you haven’t and are not afflicted with being grey and purple. You have to go
through an exorcism to survive. It’s a double bind…damned if you do or don’t.
‘Raised by wolves’ lolololol. Thanks for the laugh.
Aside from that, your comments are on point.
Next they'll be saying Michael pays us all to support him. I've got a fast food meal lined up today with all the cash Michael's been sending me. (Watch Dawn and friends take that literally...)
Nice. What did you order? Something expensive, I hope! 🙃
A large fries. Michael is a generous benefactor!
😂😂
Good one!
On second thought, someone may be paying trolls like Dawn Cali and her friends. Hmm.... But I'll quench that thought, as it's nothing but innuendo, you know, like the kind they like to use against Michael Cohen.
You are literally telling people and institutions to obey in advance. If you haven’t already, read Timothy Snyder’s “On Tyranny”. You’re advising a short term solution which just results in further abuse. Our great moments and heroes didn’t get that way by capitulating. Staring down a bully can take time and MUST take perseverance. If the Founders “just paid” the tea tax, we would still be a colony. If Minnesotans followed your advice, ICE would still be there. Here’s the problem Michael…You think “knowing” Trump is an advantage. Sometimes it is and sometimes it isn’t. This is one of the cases in which it isn’t. You are looking at these situations as someone who used to be on the wrong side and, therefore, you are only considering what TRUMP will do. It would be wise to step away and realize that he has gotten away with everything in his life BECAUSE nobody ever said no. Thats why he keeps doing horrific things. He was never TAUGHT that there actually exist people who have the righteousness and will to say no, whatever the consequences. Then, and only then, can he be broken. You are stuck in and mindset about him that is outdated. Stop relying on “nobody knows him better than I do”. You haven’t known him for years and much has changed. And the stakes are much more serious. I do appreciate many of your insights. However, you should hear this as constructive advice and open your eyes to it rather than assuming everyone who disagrees with some (not all) of what you say as a “hater”. We can have good points too…even if they don’t always agree with your opinion.
Dear Michael,
I’m on your side 100%. Ruth Ben-Ghiat has written how authoritarians play the long game; you describe how we democrats can live the eternal truth (the opposite of Timothy Snyder’s “politics of eternity”.) Strength lies in conscience and in knowing oneself.
Regarding your years with Trump, you have confessed, “It was my own weakness, and a blind loyalty to this man that led me to choose a path of darkness over light.”
I relate down to the bones. Years ago, I lost myself in a cult. If I learned one thing from that, it was to listen first to myself. Emerson said it: “A man should learn to detect and watch that gleam of light which flashes across his mind from within, more than the lustre of the firmament of bards and sages. Yet he dismisses without notice his own thought, because it is his.”
Through Trump’s encompassing, hateful media, the Maga crowd has fallen for that lustre--as did you and I both. I don’t blame any of us. What makes us all human is the ability to return to love.
Trump wants his enemies to bow down. But the more he continues, the more his hate will ruin him. His lies will collapse and the sun will shine through. All we need do watch. “They also serve who only stand and waite.” --John Milton (1608-1674)
Peter Gerler
Newton, MA
Cowardly advice. I will not renew. My last comment. Goodbye!
Carol,
Yes, Michael Cohen needs to come forward and say what he knows.
I am always amazed that so many don't challenge and they don't question.
But that is a segment of America, huh? But declining segment as America is waking
up. What down to 35% approval rating and falling?
We must all question and question and question. Everyone.
Have a good weekend.
Americans deserve beter.
Settle? SETTLE? Hoo-boy. Buh-bye, Mike.
I like your writing style, but the content sucks.
Greg,
I agree. Michael is a gifted writer. And no doubt knows Trump after "12+ years being Trump's #1 and Fixer." Has anyone asked why Trump dumped him and let him take the fall? Trump covered others, but not Michael?
Michael Cohen needs to decide to change his course and Stand Up to
the Trump Administration/Regime by providing what he knows to the Public.
Americans deserve better.
Hi Dawn, Happy to see someone else fighting in here for the truth!
Michael is also missing the big money. Michael has been dropped by so many; The Meidas Network, Zev, Lev, Ellie, Tara Palmeri and a few other's. And yet his "13" ( not a typo....thirteen & unfortunately, mostly women ) paid subscribers are sticking up for him without questioning a thing he states or doing the slightest investigation on their own. The most important discovery, 13 yr old Katie Johnson. He's also lobbying for a pardon from his friend. I found out a few days ago, Michael has been helping with some legal issue for Trump hoping that assistance will convince Trump to grant Michael the pardon.
I'm assuming you knew all this but I don't believe any of his followers are aware of any of it. Perhaps now, they'll investigate a bit ?? Have a wonderful day!
Wonder. “And yet his "13" ( not a typo....thirteen & unfortunately, mostly women ) paid subscribers are sticking up for him without questioning a thing he states or doing the slightest investigation on their own.”
You have offended many, many people with your inaccurate words.
Google ‘misogynistic women.’
THIS IS WHY WE NEED FEMINISM.
Oh, for heaven's sake. Do some research. I have.
Dawn. I don’t know the exact percentages so I won’t formulate an argument. But what percent of time was spent at the Trump organization vs in the White House? 90%?
Carol. Thanks for letting us know. Because we were wondering.