They hunt on lies they call truth, savage those who stood, and twist courage into betrayal, leaving chaos, confusion, and hatred swirling in the wreckage of their cruelty.
Michael for the Iast few years I was a faithful follower and believer of you in so many ways. I defended the fact to many of my friends and family that I truly believed you redeemed yourself away from the likes of Trump and the horrible things you did in service of him all those years. I believed you when you said you were part of a cult working for Trump and were swept up and brainwashed by the temptations of money and power but during your time in prison you saw the light and became a changed man. But your Substack a few days ago has changed things for me. It is just not making sense or registering with me logically. You say you were "coerced" by the prosecutors to go along with your testimony? Why did you go along with their coercion? The last two years you stated countless times how proud you were to stand up against your ex-boss's corrupt ways. You in fact wore it as your badge of honor. Now all of a sudden your story changes? How were you coerced? What exactly did you say that wasn't truthful? Most importantly, I have questions about your timing. Why is this coming out now after 1-2 years after your testimony? Why are you giving this ammunition to Trump to go after the left? He now has proof thanks to you that they were always after him by any means. He will use your statements to bolster his attempt to get both of his cases dismissed and continue going after the "lunatic liberal" prosecutors. Everyone should be asking themselves about the timing ...why did you wait to come out with that Substack article now just when Trump wants to appeal both of his cases?? I have many questions and your recent articles have answered none of them.
I have these same questions. Why would you go along with the coercion by the prosecutors. You are stronger than that. And what was untruthful about your testimony? And why now indeed. This comment asks the questions I would like answers to also. Can you give us that, Michael. Make us understand.
I would like to know what "coercion" tactics were used. You do know how Michael "coerced" Tim Mak, right? Did James and Bragg use the same threats and language that Michael did? I think this is called, Karma.
Mary Trump posted about Tim Mak on Saturday. I vaguely remembered the story, but did a little digging. Cohen accused me on his livestream about being a "Know it all by believing everything the internet posts." I check 3 different sources when I search the internet. NPR also posted the taped threats by Cohen to Tim Mak. The format is different, and they are split into 35 second sound bites. Everyone can make up their own mind about the definition of "coercion."
Exactly. I feel the same way. I was incredibly disappointed. I wish he would explain it…answer all your questions. You are feeling exactly like a lot of us are and it would be nice to have answers.
The question you need to ask yourself, is why would Micheal write something he thought would cause so much friction? Michael Cohen was not admitting to criminal fault, recanting testimony, or endorsing Donald Trump. He was articulating a personal, retrospective assessment of how he experienced the justice system and the political environment surrounding Trump-era prosecutions.
Kate, MC is extremely shrewd and definitely had the foresight to know Trump would use his statements of coercion by the prosecutors for his benefit. It will serve Trump in two ways. 1) He will get his NY cases dismissed and his convictions expunged. 2) Now he has evidence that the "lunatic left" justice system were "coercing" witnesses to go after him. He will once again seek indictments against James & Bragg. Do you think for a minute that Cohen didn't foresee the domino effect this would cause??
At first thought what you are stating seems logical but; the claim that Michael Cohen’s testimony about feeling pressure could somehow enable Donald Trump to overturn his felony convictions does not withstand scrutiny.
First, Trump is already in the seat of the presidency and is, as a matter of current legal reality, shielded from the immediate consequences of those felony convictions.
Trump is not relying on Michael Cohen to escape accountability. He has already achieved insulation through political power, judicial deference, and institutional paralysis to name a few things.
If we all manage to survive the Trump Regime's destructive reign and Trump himself is alive and well and no longer protected by office, the legal exposure he would face is not going to center on bank fraud from the 2010's
The far more serious questions would involve abuse of executive power, constitutional violations, obstruction of democratic processes, and—depending on future findings—potential violations of international law.
In that context, Michael Cohen’s testimony is marginal at best. It is not the keystone holding Trump’s legal fate together.
Finally, this narrative ignores the uncomfortable truth that Trump does not need exoneration to prevail. To retroactively cast Cohen as the linchpin of Trump’s legal standing is to misread the entire trajectory of the last decade.
You write very well Kate! Yes you are correct that Trump doesn't need his testimony to escape accountability but it would lend credibility to his assertions that the NY Dept. of Justice was seeking political revenge against him. Mind you Trump is a very vain man and even though he won't have to pay the judgement and he had his sentencing phase dismissed by the judge, he desperately wants those 34 felony convictions completely nullified. In addition, and with complete irony he still wants revenge against James and Bragg for prosecuting him. With Cohen's testimony, now he has the ammunition to do that!!
You raise a valid point. Trump is demonstrably vengeful and has shown, repeatedly, that he cannot tolerate even mild criticism. It is not difficult to imagine snd he has stated that he would relish the opportunity to exact revenge on figures such as James and Briggs, but think for minute Trump has forgotten Cohen. For Trump, disloyalty—real or perceived—is unforgivable.
Cohen, in particular, occupies a singular place in Trump’s grievances: a man who took the fall for Trump’s misconduct, who later testified against him, and who now continues to speak publicly about Trump’s behaviour and abuses of power. From Trump’s perspective, that combination likely represents the ultimate betrayal. It is therefore reasonable to assume that Trump envisions not merely punishment, but a sentence designed to be painful, humiliating, and exemplary—meant to deter others from following the same path. Unfortunately, Trump does not need to act directly to see that vision carried out. The public is already doing it for him.
One major question for Michael: Why would he pay off a porn star or deny something in Trump’s name IF Michael knew it was a lie? Why would he think such little about himself doing such an illegal request? It was a LIE! And Trump never was going to take the blame! NEVER. Michael was? It was Michael’s reputation all along!
There is one thing we are overlooking. No matter how strong we perceive someone to be and even when they can be forceful at times, we do not know often what their Achilles heel is. How many of the writers here have been in prison? Not me. How many have received insults and been put in solidarity confinement for days?again not me.
I listened for several hours yesterday to the journalists who were reporting on Cohen and the Lev analysis. I still do not see what bad revelation occurred. Why Michael said what he did about coercion I don’t know. But something else is wrong. I ask the same question as I just read here someone else asked. Why now? Why are others turning on Cohen? They know him better than we do.
Trump was the teacher and the boss of a lot of people including Cohen. He appears to be invincible so he trains them to be bullies . We will never know what Cohen thought when he worked there. He can never forget what he has seen and experienced.
What about what Lev Parnas created? He seems proud to be a creator of MAGA, and all that goes with this plan to destroy America. He shows all his photos, telling all his stories with pride about the people he knew and colluded with. Why is this being softened, because he’s trying to undo what he did? He can’t. And how does he reconcile going after Michael? Lev is not being truthful about this. Something is making him rabidly going after Michael.
Unproven information is just that. I mention Lev Parnas because he is the one who started this shitshow with such ferocity and anger. We’re all missing something here that ties all this together, and I believe it points to Lev Parnas. He’s no hero because he turned whistle blower. He turned whistle blower because he got caught and arrested, and it was for self-interest. He has no basis to judge Michael Cohen.
And he’s still ranting about it. Calling out Joe Walsh and Malcolm Nance for not cancelling Cohen. Very odd since he has achieved his goal in many respects.
You don't really think Tara Palmeri was doing everyone a service with her live gotcha with Michael Cohen? She is one of the most self-serving and dishonest of this whole crew, I didn't used to think that, but after watching quite a bit, it's obvious to me now. I can just imagine her in the same position, being caught out live like she caught Michael Cohen. I could actually give examples of how unprofessional she is at times. A lot of these supposed independent media "heroes" are so FOS it boggles the mind. Substack is starting to turn into the same cesspit that X and other social media have become. Clicks, followers and money, the same game as ever. It's a shame, but not surprising.
She wasn't a 13 year old who accused Trump. She was 30+ when she did that. She was 13 in 1994 when she claimed she was sexually assaulted. I believe something happened, although I've looked at the lawsuit online and found what I think is a flaw in it that matters as to credibility. I think the address of the crime is incorrect and that's concerning. Sorry to say, your comment is full of errors and innuendos. But you seem to be having fun with this, so enjoy! 😵💫
Actually in this case it's not really whataboutism, it's "the pot calling the kettle black." All these holier-than-thous railing at Cohen need to look honestly at themselves (if that's even possible), make their critiques, if they have reasonable ones (which is not what they're currently doing), then STFU and go back to doing good work. I mean, who would think Bragg and other high placed lawyers wouldn't be capable of partisan coercion? Are you all really that naive?
Your article from yesterday is still with me. The asymmetry you described, between how quickly destruction happens and how slowly restoration unfolds, that's the structural problem underneath everything else.
The bureaucratic grinder doesn't distinguish between guilt and innocence. It operates through time and process, and defense always carries costs that accusation never does.
We've built a system where outrage scales infinitely and evidence doesn't. Outrage is faster, easier, and more profitable than the slow work of critical thinking. It doesn't require us to learn anything new or sit with complexity. That's what makes it so powerful, and so destructive.
We can name it clearly. Let's break out of this cycle.
He simply stated that he felt "pressured and coerced him to provide testimony that fit a desired narrative" to Bragg/James. Fair enough - they wanted Trump. But this is getting ridiculous.
He was Trump’s fixer so he must be involved” is not evidence — it’s fan fiction. Cohen has said he doesn’t have the secret Epstein intel people are claiming, and now he’s literally offering to put it under oath.
You don’t have to like the guy to admit: accusations without proof are just noise.
Conclusion: You can dislike Michael Cohen’s past and still be honest about the present: there’s no credible public evidence linking him to the Katie Johnson case or an Epstein cover-up. People are treating “he must know something” like it’s a fact. That’s not how truth works — that’s how mobs work.
I agree with you 100%! I also want to say it was MTN decision that they wanted to so quickly part ways with Michael. That was their right to do so. But I am really shocked that they allowed Ron Filipkowski to put through that public bashing of Michael. That was very demeaning based on someone who had been a central figure in their programming for years. It was bad enough Michael was cut so suddenly but to follow that up with name calling was unnecessary. Ron wrote with a "holier-than-thou" attitude which is not representative of MTN. Also, Ron inferred this was all about a pardon which he has no knowledge of. Ron did not seem to understand that Michael was referring to what he "personally" experienced when he was asked questions and then asked more leading questions when his answers were not damaging enough. They should have left it with the parting of ways and forgone the inuendo and name bashing.
Michael, you write so well that I can feel it. I hope it’s cathartic. I was thinking about some of the vicious comments put on here by subscribers, and the obvious question to me was why were they subscribed in the first place? What did they expect from you? Did they expect you to have answers, to make them feel safe, to ingratiate? I’m mystified.
I think you’ve made your history perfectly clear. You’re not squeaky clean, you wouldn’t have ended up in the nick if you were. Your sentence and treatment was out or order though, really I can safely say that wouldn’t have happened over here. It was retaliation. So you’ve paid enough already.
So everyone else should just sod off. You are what and who you are. I enjoy and value your view and experience, it adds to the overall mix that’s being pumped out every day.
Michael, you call it ‘wolf pack’; yesterday, I called it a ‘lynch mob’ in my long, but supportive comment. PTSD? I have no doubt. I cannot even begin to imagine. I spoke spiritually yesterday. I continue to pray for you.
And, your enemies. The whole thing is a disgrace. I’m here for information, facts, the independent news. Peace be with you.
Hi Michael, I think we all need clarity from those involved. I'm not happy that MT has not been more upfront about what happened. And I think it matters that those on the same political side stick together.
I'm upset about what happened and I hope it can be healed! Best wishes!
I am frozen from today’s essay and feel like this is Lord of the Flies 2026 edition. I do not understand the contagion, the speed to which your “friends” excoriated you, for what? Truth they did not like, fear of being left behind as the anti Michael crowd enflamed. It is disgraceful.
I agree. Well said. I wrote somewhere that it was like pack behaviour. I meant dogs, but Michael’s reference to wolves, which are cunning animals, describes this well. I am still stunned by all this.
Thank You Michael ... I have PTSD myself and you are right there is no spotlight on it when it happens. I'm sorry this is happening to you. I want to say in general, I hate when the mob piles on and tries to ruin a persons livelihood. It seems to be a terrible part of human nature. I think about Al Franken .. They ran him out of the Senate. It was disgusting. You are right that instead of paying attention to the real story Greenland etc. they are being vicious. I wish you well and hope your wife has a peaceful day. Hang in there and keep writing .. lost in america... Oh, and shame on them.
God I know .. childish and stupid that's it, exactly .. He worked so hard to get elected. He loved his job. I wish they would leave Michael alone . He has been through enough. It's typical, burn the house down...and then they wonder why we are in the minority.
I want the dem leadership to step aside and giv e the younger generation a chance . Do I want to make the fight so ugly that we lose in November no .. But I do want Schumer to step aside. Stay a senator but give someone younger a chance ..
Michael, testify in front of Congress! Let's talk Epstein! Perhaps Russia, Trump's business and personal dealings. 12+ years and you heard and knew nothing. Think it won't fly in Congress. Public hearing as we want to hear what you say!
I see what people say about Schumer, and agree for the most part, but to me it's not all about finding someone younger, I'd take someone even older than Schumer if they were better!
Me neither. I'm getting sick of party loyalty if it ends up meaning standing up for our own version of goons. But I'll be darned if I let my (all of ours) beloved Democratic Party be taken over completely by what amount to self-serving phonies. Politics is so toxic, so maybe there's little hope, but hang in there!
Michael, as subscribers, we depend on independent journalism for the truth. Thank you for sharing more of your side of the story. I recall recently, that MTN and Lev Parnas had a riff. MTN forgave Lev. Aaron, Lev’s son, kept his distance. Just looked up info about Lev and found something here. Sounds a little bit like the kettle “Lev” calling the pot “you” black. Shake hands and make up. You both worked for 45 and you both got caught. We need both of you insiders to take down Canks.
Bearer of Light. I looked at the site you suggested. There is so much more about Lev Parnas than he presents.
“Lev Parnas Wikipedia.
“Parnas and Fruman were arrested on the evening of October 9, 2019, at Dulles International Airport, and charged with planning to direct funds from a foreign government "to U.S. politicians while trying to influence U.S.-Ukraine relations".[29] They had one-way tickets to Frankfurt, Germany, and were reported to be going to Vienna, Austria.[30] The head of the New York FBI office described the investigation as "about corrupt behavior, deliberate lawbreaking".[2]
My thoughts. One way tickets? Interesting, isn’t it. Also damning is that they must have known the FBI was closing in. Did he plan to leave his family behind to save himself? Also the Ukraine involvement/coercion leaves one to wonder about all his pleas for money for Ukraine people now. Someone could really turn all this into a frenzied attack.
“Parnas asked for the charges to be dismissed, claiming that the Trump administration had prosecuted him to protect Trump against Congressional investigations, but a federal judge rejected this claim as a "conspiracy theory."[44]
My thoughts. Oh, Lev asked for charges to be dismissed? Brings to mind his refusal to admit what he had done. And his assault on Michael to ask for something for himself.
“Parnas made many claims in the Rachel Maddow interview:
Parnas met in Ukraine with a top Ukrainian official and informed him he was speaking on Trump's behalf; Parnas warned that all aid to Ukraine, as well as Pence's attendance at the inauguration of the new Ukrainian President, were contingent upon an announcement that Biden was being investigated.[48].
My thoughts. He had no personal integrity towards Ukraine like he does now, but in working with the Russians, he needs to take accountability that his involvement put Ukraine at risk from Russia and from the US.
“When asked by Rachel Maddow, Parnas claimed that his decision to speak out was made to protect this country from President Trump and his allies, stating that they are all part of one large "cult."[65]
MY thoughts. His decision to speak out was to protect himself, be the hero and throw everyone else under the bus. In my opinion, he is no hero. He was instrumental in trump becoming president, and here we are. He can’t undo what he did.
I simply want explanations from the sides that matter. You, Meidas and this Les that spun the damaging words. So far, you're the only one that I've seen a hint of coverage. The value of boycott is to unsubscribe. I'll give it sometime and make my own assessments on all involved.
In the end, words matter and I appreciate the emotional pain. This too shall pass in time. Stay strong and learn.
Update: I saw the announcement on Meidas but no explanation so I've posted the following. Glad to see expansion however, I also see even Independent Media starting to ignore their subscribers quest for truth and facts. This is one reason I unsubscribed from Katey P. You gotta listen to the people and so far I've not seen or heard explanation on Cohen from Meidas. Perhaps I missed it but if so, someone please point me to why Midas cut ties with Cohen. It seems to me there needs to be conversation between the parties involved. Cohen, Les Parvas and Meidas. Someones spinnin lies, just like CBS!
From information I found on the internet regarding what happened was that: Progressive MeidasTouch Network Dropped Michael Cohen’s Podcasts After Claiming He ‘Felt Coerced’ to Testify Against Trump. HIs reasoning: “I have witnessed firsthand the damage done when prosecutors pick their target first and then seek evidence to fit a predetermined narrative.” I still don't understand in what context this response is from (felt coerced) I must say to give anything to trump galls me! However, his posts have always been invaluable as to his relationship to trump and his minions. He has laid bare his imperfections and showed his humanness. His insight is invaluable to me and I believe many others. I stand with Michael.
Agreed Linda! I posted an update. A clarification from my POV. A good independent journalist could do an expose on Cohen's comments at the time and the scandal it's clearly generated now. Perhaps the parties in question can explain themselves and come to a clear consensus of opinion based on facts. Cohen while it's been hurtful, clearly some responsibility and clarity is warranted.
It was explained on the MTN last night from Ron on the "This Weekend in Politics" post. If you scroll towards the bottom of the post, you'll see the explanation.
To be continued: there were a lot of subscribers asking for an explanation as to why Michael was dropped from the MTN, some being outraged. They had to finally answer.
So I'm posting an update as a fellow subscriber pointed me to the Meidas explanation and here's my Meidas post.
Ron,
I can appreciate the explanation on Cohen, however it also appears you have some of your own bias which is fine. If the bros want to cut ties, that's their perogative. It is a business decision as much as anything. While we have much more important things in America going on to talk about and review, it might be interesting to see an expose coverage of the allegations like the big boys in legacy news do. I don't know that Meidas is equipped to do that, but a good independent review could be valuable. I've never thought Cohen was a saint, and he does bring value to the Trump narrative. I for one am not going to shoot him! Hopefully he's learned a lesson or two and continues to share insight.
I agree. I dumped Medias and kept Cohen. I loved Ron but he was the only voice of reason, IMHO, in a collection of overt progressivism which isn't going to win us an election. Let's just win the elections and then villify those that aren't "progressive" enough.
I wish I could make you understand that your pain is my pain.
What your articulate writing does is open the blinds to the sunshine( truth). Even the sun can burn, but it also helps truth to grow. And more and more of us will benefit when more truth is overtaking the weeds of destruction and of immorality.
What you share feels like an earthquake of the human soul. And everyday more and more of those of us who want to be about the truth gain.
Thank you for writing. Your gift with words helps the world to heal. Empathy can only be practiced if we understand one another’s pain. I hold you in my heart.
The “pack” can only eat one another. But we do not need to be part of the menu if we make truth our diet.
Thank you again for not giving up. We need your story to help heal this country.
My concern, and I said something similar in a comment on MeidasTouch, is that this evolving division is what the fascists want. Divide and conquer; it's a time-honored strategy. Don't take the bait! Don't buy in. It's not Cohen vs Meidas. It has to be US --We The People-- versus the illegitimate regime destroying our country. As Benjamin Franklin said, "We must all hang together or surely we will all hang separately." Please people, stop looking for villains within the ranks of We The People. None of us will pass the purity test. The villains are elsewhere, laughing at this blowup.
I'm struggling to understand what lies are being spread. I see the article that states you said you were coerced or pressured into certain testimony against Trump and I don't understand why you would say that when you know how the legal system works and how prosecutors want to get the relevant information in front of the jury. I just can't really see you allowing yourself to be coerced so I just don't understand why you said that. But apparently you DID say it, so what are the lies? Also, I don't know what that Lev guy has to do with all of this, but I must say that I don't like him. Whenever I come across him being in a video, I skip it. He rubs me the wrong way. I feel for you, Michael, because I have come to admire you greatly. I know you went through hell. I can't tell you I know how it feels because I don't, but I know you suffered it and have the deal with the aftermath which is most likely horrifying. And to know that your family is suffering through it with you is also horrifying. I don't agree with Ron that you are a manipulator and only care about yourself. That sounds like Trump to me, not Michael Cohen. I just wish I understood what was going on and I wish you hadn't been cut out so suddenly without being allowed to give further explanation of your meaning when you said you felt coerced. Confused, dismayed, but still rooting for you, Michael.
I just observed in court that exact leading of the witness by his lawyer, and he went right along with it. Then he testified the opposite in the next hearing. Michael, the well-trained lawyer, observed what was going on.
On TV, the other side then objects to this. That doesn’t mean Michael answered the questions inappropriately. The questions are asked strategically to control the narrative. We’re just pawns in the game.
Michael, let us know the Winston Churchill quote. Something like, so you have enemies. It means you stood up for something.
So you're saying Michael went along with coercion and testified the way they wanted him to testify and then testified to the opposite in another hearing? I'm just more confused now.
Exactly. Why is there an email in the Epstein files from Cohen's lawyer to the federal prosecutor saying Cohen -- who has repeatedly stated that he knows nothing about Epstein's connection to Trump -- can provide testimony about Trump's relationship with Epstein in exchange for a reduced sentence?
The crux (forgive the redundancy):
Tara Palmeri says the Epstein files contain a 2019 email from Cohen's lawyer saying Cohen can provide information about Trump's relationship with Epstein in exchange for a reduced sentence. Michael is writing posts about being persecuted but saying nothing about this evidence of him LYING each of the many times he's claimed to know nothing about Trump's relationship with Epstein.
Michael for the Iast few years I was a faithful follower and believer of you in so many ways. I defended the fact to many of my friends and family that I truly believed you redeemed yourself away from the likes of Trump and the horrible things you did in service of him all those years. I believed you when you said you were part of a cult working for Trump and were swept up and brainwashed by the temptations of money and power but during your time in prison you saw the light and became a changed man. But your Substack a few days ago has changed things for me. It is just not making sense or registering with me logically. You say you were "coerced" by the prosecutors to go along with your testimony? Why did you go along with their coercion? The last two years you stated countless times how proud you were to stand up against your ex-boss's corrupt ways. You in fact wore it as your badge of honor. Now all of a sudden your story changes? How were you coerced? What exactly did you say that wasn't truthful? Most importantly, I have questions about your timing. Why is this coming out now after 1-2 years after your testimony? Why are you giving this ammunition to Trump to go after the left? He now has proof thanks to you that they were always after him by any means. He will use your statements to bolster his attempt to get both of his cases dismissed and continue going after the "lunatic liberal" prosecutors. Everyone should be asking themselves about the timing ...why did you wait to come out with that Substack article now just when Trump wants to appeal both of his cases?? I have many questions and your recent articles have answered none of them.
I have these same questions. Why would you go along with the coercion by the prosecutors. You are stronger than that. And what was untruthful about your testimony? And why now indeed. This comment asks the questions I would like answers to also. Can you give us that, Michael. Make us understand.
I would like to know what "coercion" tactics were used. You do know how Michael "coerced" Tim Mak, right? Did James and Bragg use the same threats and language that Michael did? I think this is called, Karma.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5DGmhbpPUo
WOW 😳😳 is all I can say!
Mary Trump posted about Tim Mak on Saturday. I vaguely remembered the story, but did a little digging. Cohen accused me on his livestream about being a "Know it all by believing everything the internet posts." I check 3 different sources when I search the internet. NPR also posted the taped threats by Cohen to Tim Mak. The format is different, and they are split into 35 second sound bites. Everyone can make up their own mind about the definition of "coercion."
Yes, DogLover!
Americans deserve better!
Yes, Dianne K.
Americans deserve better.
Exactly. I feel the same way. I was incredibly disappointed. I wish he would explain it…answer all your questions. You are feeling exactly like a lot of us are and it would be nice to have answers.
Love your tag name! Dog lover here too ❤️❤️
Yes, Vicky!
Americans deserve better.
The question you need to ask yourself, is why would Micheal write something he thought would cause so much friction? Michael Cohen was not admitting to criminal fault, recanting testimony, or endorsing Donald Trump. He was articulating a personal, retrospective assessment of how he experienced the justice system and the political environment surrounding Trump-era prosecutions.
Kate, MC is extremely shrewd and definitely had the foresight to know Trump would use his statements of coercion by the prosecutors for his benefit. It will serve Trump in two ways. 1) He will get his NY cases dismissed and his convictions expunged. 2) Now he has evidence that the "lunatic left" justice system were "coercing" witnesses to go after him. He will once again seek indictments against James & Bragg. Do you think for a minute that Cohen didn't foresee the domino effect this would cause??
At first thought what you are stating seems logical but; the claim that Michael Cohen’s testimony about feeling pressure could somehow enable Donald Trump to overturn his felony convictions does not withstand scrutiny.
First, Trump is already in the seat of the presidency and is, as a matter of current legal reality, shielded from the immediate consequences of those felony convictions.
Trump is not relying on Michael Cohen to escape accountability. He has already achieved insulation through political power, judicial deference, and institutional paralysis to name a few things.
If we all manage to survive the Trump Regime's destructive reign and Trump himself is alive and well and no longer protected by office, the legal exposure he would face is not going to center on bank fraud from the 2010's
The far more serious questions would involve abuse of executive power, constitutional violations, obstruction of democratic processes, and—depending on future findings—potential violations of international law.
In that context, Michael Cohen’s testimony is marginal at best. It is not the keystone holding Trump’s legal fate together.
Finally, this narrative ignores the uncomfortable truth that Trump does not need exoneration to prevail. To retroactively cast Cohen as the linchpin of Trump’s legal standing is to misread the entire trajectory of the last decade.
You write very well Kate! Yes you are correct that Trump doesn't need his testimony to escape accountability but it would lend credibility to his assertions that the NY Dept. of Justice was seeking political revenge against him. Mind you Trump is a very vain man and even though he won't have to pay the judgement and he had his sentencing phase dismissed by the judge, he desperately wants those 34 felony convictions completely nullified. In addition, and with complete irony he still wants revenge against James and Bragg for prosecuting him. With Cohen's testimony, now he has the ammunition to do that!!
You raise a valid point. Trump is demonstrably vengeful and has shown, repeatedly, that he cannot tolerate even mild criticism. It is not difficult to imagine snd he has stated that he would relish the opportunity to exact revenge on figures such as James and Briggs, but think for minute Trump has forgotten Cohen. For Trump, disloyalty—real or perceived—is unforgivable.
Cohen, in particular, occupies a singular place in Trump’s grievances: a man who took the fall for Trump’s misconduct, who later testified against him, and who now continues to speak publicly about Trump’s behaviour and abuses of power. From Trump’s perspective, that combination likely represents the ultimate betrayal. It is therefore reasonable to assume that Trump envisions not merely punishment, but a sentence designed to be painful, humiliating, and exemplary—meant to deter others from following the same path. Unfortunately, Trump does not need to act directly to see that vision carried out. The public is already doing it for him.
One major question for Michael: Why would he pay off a porn star or deny something in Trump’s name IF Michael knew it was a lie? Why would he think such little about himself doing such an illegal request? It was a LIE! And Trump never was going to take the blame! NEVER. Michael was? It was Michael’s reputation all along!
He wrote a book about the DOJ. What he predicted is coming true
I cannot forget the whys we are both asking.
Well said. I have the same thoughts and questions. The timing of the sub stack message about prosecutors was confusing and raises so many red flags.
Thank you Vicky Stow and Diane Fisher
On both sides of this story
There is one thing we are overlooking. No matter how strong we perceive someone to be and even when they can be forceful at times, we do not know often what their Achilles heel is. How many of the writers here have been in prison? Not me. How many have received insults and been put in solidarity confinement for days?again not me.
I'll just raise my little hand, jail because 2 cops testilyed .
I listened for several hours yesterday to the journalists who were reporting on Cohen and the Lev analysis. I still do not see what bad revelation occurred. Why Michael said what he did about coercion I don’t know. But something else is wrong. I ask the same question as I just read here someone else asked. Why now? Why are others turning on Cohen? They know him better than we do.
Prosecutors and DAs will eff with your head, it's their job and most are damn good at it. Quite a few are sadistic themselves.
Trump was the teacher and the boss of a lot of people including Cohen. He appears to be invincible so he trains them to be bullies . We will never know what Cohen thought when he worked there. He can never forget what he has seen and experienced.
Yes M. Shama!
Americans deserve better.
This is my question.
He’s not going after the “left”. He is going after All the Americans that are currently living under what HE ( Michael) helped to create and sell.
What about what Lev Parnas created? He seems proud to be a creator of MAGA, and all that goes with this plan to destroy America. He shows all his photos, telling all his stories with pride about the people he knew and colluded with. Why is this being softened, because he’s trying to undo what he did? He can’t. And how does he reconcile going after Michael? Lev is not being truthful about this. Something is making him rabidly going after Michael.
“Whataboutism” doesn’t change Michael Cohens behavior. Dig deeper, Epstein Files- Katie Johnson- Intimidation.
Unproven information is just that. I mention Lev Parnas because he is the one who started this shitshow with such ferocity and anger. We’re all missing something here that ties all this together, and I believe it points to Lev Parnas. He’s no hero because he turned whistle blower. He turned whistle blower because he got caught and arrested, and it was for self-interest. He has no basis to judge Michael Cohen.
And he’s still ranting about it. Calling out Joe Walsh and Malcolm Nance for not cancelling Cohen. Very odd since he has achieved his goal in many respects.
Joe Walsh has already spoken out against MC that he will no longer do programming with him
You don't really think Tara Palmeri was doing everyone a service with her live gotcha with Michael Cohen? She is one of the most self-serving and dishonest of this whole crew, I didn't used to think that, but after watching quite a bit, it's obvious to me now. I can just imagine her in the same position, being caught out live like she caught Michael Cohen. I could actually give examples of how unprofessional she is at times. A lot of these supposed independent media "heroes" are so FOS it boggles the mind. Substack is starting to turn into the same cesspit that X and other social media have become. Clicks, followers and money, the same game as ever. It's a shame, but not surprising.
She wasn't a 13 year old who accused Trump. She was 30+ when she did that. She was 13 in 1994 when she claimed she was sexually assaulted. I believe something happened, although I've looked at the lawsuit online and found what I think is a flaw in it that matters as to credibility. I think the address of the crime is incorrect and that's concerning. Sorry to say, your comment is full of errors and innuendos. But you seem to be having fun with this, so enjoy! 😵💫
Actually in this case it's not really whataboutism, it's "the pot calling the kettle black." All these holier-than-thous railing at Cohen need to look honestly at themselves (if that's even possible), make their critiques, if they have reasonable ones (which is not what they're currently doing), then STFU and go back to doing good work. I mean, who would think Bragg and other high placed lawyers wouldn't be capable of partisan coercion? Are you all really that naive?
https://open.substack.com/pub/ellieleonard/p/i-was-13-years-old-the-story-of-katie?r=ebep7&utm_medium=ios&shareImageVariant=overlay
What does that citation have to do with here? How is that a reply to my comment? Bizarre.
Sell?
He made someone very angry
Interesting thought. There is more to this than we know.
Michael—
Your article from yesterday is still with me. The asymmetry you described, between how quickly destruction happens and how slowly restoration unfolds, that's the structural problem underneath everything else.
The bureaucratic grinder doesn't distinguish between guilt and innocence. It operates through time and process, and defense always carries costs that accusation never does.
We've built a system where outrage scales infinitely and evidence doesn't. Outrage is faster, easier, and more profitable than the slow work of critical thinking. It doesn't require us to learn anything new or sit with complexity. That's what makes it so powerful, and so destructive.
We can name it clearly. Let's break out of this cycle.
Mika—
Well said!
Brilliant!
Focus. Let's look at MC's "crime".
He simply stated that he felt "pressured and coerced him to provide testimony that fit a desired narrative" to Bragg/James. Fair enough - they wanted Trump. But this is getting ridiculous.
He was Trump’s fixer so he must be involved” is not evidence — it’s fan fiction. Cohen has said he doesn’t have the secret Epstein intel people are claiming, and now he’s literally offering to put it under oath.
You don’t have to like the guy to admit: accusations without proof are just noise.
Conclusion: You can dislike Michael Cohen’s past and still be honest about the present: there’s no credible public evidence linking him to the Katie Johnson case or an Epstein cover-up. People are treating “he must know something” like it’s a fact. That’s not how truth works — that’s how mobs work.
I stand with Michael Cohen 100% 😐
I absolutely stand with Michael Cohen as per my substack post yesterday!
I agree with you 100%! I also want to say it was MTN decision that they wanted to so quickly part ways with Michael. That was their right to do so. But I am really shocked that they allowed Ron Filipkowski to put through that public bashing of Michael. That was very demeaning based on someone who had been a central figure in their programming for years. It was bad enough Michael was cut so suddenly but to follow that up with name calling was unnecessary. Ron wrote with a "holier-than-thou" attitude which is not representative of MTN. Also, Ron inferred this was all about a pardon which he has no knowledge of. Ron did not seem to understand that Michael was referring to what he "personally" experienced when he was asked questions and then asked more leading questions when his answers were not damaging enough. They should have left it with the parting of ways and forgone the inuendo and name bashing.
I agree with you 100%
Michael, you write so well that I can feel it. I hope it’s cathartic. I was thinking about some of the vicious comments put on here by subscribers, and the obvious question to me was why were they subscribed in the first place? What did they expect from you? Did they expect you to have answers, to make them feel safe, to ingratiate? I’m mystified.
I think you’ve made your history perfectly clear. You’re not squeaky clean, you wouldn’t have ended up in the nick if you were. Your sentence and treatment was out or order though, really I can safely say that wouldn’t have happened over here. It was retaliation. So you’ve paid enough already.
So everyone else should just sod off. You are what and who you are. I enjoy and value your view and experience, it adds to the overall mix that’s being pumped out every day.
Thank you Sheila. You express what my thoughts are so well.
Michael, you call it ‘wolf pack’; yesterday, I called it a ‘lynch mob’ in my long, but supportive comment. PTSD? I have no doubt. I cannot even begin to imagine. I spoke spiritually yesterday. I continue to pray for you.
And, your enemies. The whole thing is a disgrace. I’m here for information, facts, the independent news. Peace be with you.
Definitely a ",Lynch mob" I watch his latest especially youtube video last night, I was shocked at the comments. Where were his supporters comments?
They bailed ship to follow another group.
Hi Michael, I think we all need clarity from those involved. I'm not happy that MT has not been more upfront about what happened. And I think it matters that those on the same political side stick together.
I'm upset about what happened and I hope it can be healed! Best wishes!
Absolutely. I still am unable to learn what occurred. Stay strong, Michael.
I am frozen from today’s essay and feel like this is Lord of the Flies 2026 edition. I do not understand the contagion, the speed to which your “friends” excoriated you, for what? Truth they did not like, fear of being left behind as the anti Michael crowd enflamed. It is disgraceful.
I agree. Well said. I wrote somewhere that it was like pack behaviour. I meant dogs, but Michael’s reference to wolves, which are cunning animals, describes this well. I am still stunned by all this.
Weasels !
I repeat - good luck, and just keep writing. Your observations and insights on Trump are done well.
Thank You Michael ... I have PTSD myself and you are right there is no spotlight on it when it happens. I'm sorry this is happening to you. I want to say in general, I hate when the mob piles on and tries to ruin a persons livelihood. It seems to be a terrible part of human nature. I think about Al Franken .. They ran him out of the Senate. It was disgusting. You are right that instead of paying attention to the real story Greenland etc. they are being vicious. I wish you well and hope your wife has a peaceful day. Hang in there and keep writing .. lost in america... Oh, and shame on them.
Good comparison with Franken, run out of the Senate for doing something childish and stupid. Sometimes I really don't like being a Democrat.
God I know .. childish and stupid that's it, exactly .. He worked so hard to get elected. He loved his job. I wish they would leave Michael alone . He has been through enough. It's typical, burn the house down...and then they wonder why we are in the minority.
I want the dem leadership to step aside and giv e the younger generation a chance . Do I want to make the fight so ugly that we lose in November no .. But I do want Schumer to step aside. Stay a senator but give someone younger a chance ..
Thank you. These animals are doing it to grow their platform. Nothing more; nothing less
Michael, talk to your Substack. Openly and honestly.
You make no sense saying you know nothing about Epstein! It doesn't play any longer.
Jesse Jackson, Jr. really? Come on.
Americans deserve better.
Michael, testify in front of Congress! Let's talk Epstein! Perhaps Russia, Trump's business and personal dealings. 12+ years and you heard and knew nothing. Think it won't fly in Congress. Public hearing as we want to hear what you say!
Start with Jane Doe.
Americans deserve better.
People that aren't honest and transparent hurt the pro-democracy movement.
Americans deserve better.
Why get on Democrats? People, get involved, get good candidates, and get in the discussion!
We did that locally in PA in the last election. Our top state judges and county council in charge of elections will uphold our voting rights.
I see what people say about Schumer, and agree for the most part, but to me it's not all about finding someone younger, I'd take someone even older than Schumer if they were better!
Me neither. I'm getting sick of party loyalty if it ends up meaning standing up for our own version of goons. But I'll be darned if I let my (all of ours) beloved Democratic Party be taken over completely by what amount to self-serving phonies. Politics is so toxic, so maybe there's little hope, but hang in there!
Stand tall Michael as you are ! You are a hero to have survived all that was done to you ! You are brave to speak up !
Michael, as subscribers, we depend on independent journalism for the truth. Thank you for sharing more of your side of the story. I recall recently, that MTN and Lev Parnas had a riff. MTN forgave Lev. Aaron, Lev’s son, kept his distance. Just looked up info about Lev and found something here. Sounds a little bit like the kettle “Lev” calling the pot “you” black. Shake hands and make up. You both worked for 45 and you both got caught. We need both of you insiders to take down Canks.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lev_Parnas
Michael, if you have smoking guns, reveal them. I believe your mea culpa, something I haven’t discovered, or perhaps doesn’t exist, for Lev Parnas.
I am keeping your subscription. And MTN. And The Parnas Perspective (Lev’s son’s platform).
Let’s keep the eye on the sparrow.
Bearer of Light. I looked at the site you suggested. There is so much more about Lev Parnas than he presents.
“Lev Parnas Wikipedia.
“Parnas and Fruman were arrested on the evening of October 9, 2019, at Dulles International Airport, and charged with planning to direct funds from a foreign government "to U.S. politicians while trying to influence U.S.-Ukraine relations".[29] They had one-way tickets to Frankfurt, Germany, and were reported to be going to Vienna, Austria.[30] The head of the New York FBI office described the investigation as "about corrupt behavior, deliberate lawbreaking".[2]
My thoughts. One way tickets? Interesting, isn’t it. Also damning is that they must have known the FBI was closing in. Did he plan to leave his family behind to save himself? Also the Ukraine involvement/coercion leaves one to wonder about all his pleas for money for Ukraine people now. Someone could really turn all this into a frenzied attack.
“Parnas asked for the charges to be dismissed, claiming that the Trump administration had prosecuted him to protect Trump against Congressional investigations, but a federal judge rejected this claim as a "conspiracy theory."[44]
My thoughts. Oh, Lev asked for charges to be dismissed? Brings to mind his refusal to admit what he had done. And his assault on Michael to ask for something for himself.
“Parnas made many claims in the Rachel Maddow interview:
Parnas met in Ukraine with a top Ukrainian official and informed him he was speaking on Trump's behalf; Parnas warned that all aid to Ukraine, as well as Pence's attendance at the inauguration of the new Ukrainian President, were contingent upon an announcement that Biden was being investigated.[48].
My thoughts. He had no personal integrity towards Ukraine like he does now, but in working with the Russians, he needs to take accountability that his involvement put Ukraine at risk from Russia and from the US.
“When asked by Rachel Maddow, Parnas claimed that his decision to speak out was made to protect this country from President Trump and his allies, stating that they are all part of one large "cult."[65]
MY thoughts. His decision to speak out was to protect himself, be the hero and throw everyone else under the bus. In my opinion, he is no hero. He was instrumental in trump becoming president, and here we are. He can’t undo what he did.
Roberta, Lev has talked about this and his mistakes.
No new news here.
But good you are questioning.
Americans deserve better.
Please don’t patronize me. Lev has not talked about all his ‘mistakes.’
In addition, he was instrumental in placing trump in the WH. He can’t undo that. What he did is no different than what Michael did.
I simply want explanations from the sides that matter. You, Meidas and this Les that spun the damaging words. So far, you're the only one that I've seen a hint of coverage. The value of boycott is to unsubscribe. I'll give it sometime and make my own assessments on all involved.
In the end, words matter and I appreciate the emotional pain. This too shall pass in time. Stay strong and learn.
Update: I saw the announcement on Meidas but no explanation so I've posted the following. Glad to see expansion however, I also see even Independent Media starting to ignore their subscribers quest for truth and facts. This is one reason I unsubscribed from Katey P. You gotta listen to the people and so far I've not seen or heard explanation on Cohen from Meidas. Perhaps I missed it but if so, someone please point me to why Midas cut ties with Cohen. It seems to me there needs to be conversation between the parties involved. Cohen, Les Parvas and Meidas. Someones spinnin lies, just like CBS!
From information I found on the internet regarding what happened was that: Progressive MeidasTouch Network Dropped Michael Cohen’s Podcasts After Claiming He ‘Felt Coerced’ to Testify Against Trump. HIs reasoning: “I have witnessed firsthand the damage done when prosecutors pick their target first and then seek evidence to fit a predetermined narrative.” I still don't understand in what context this response is from (felt coerced) I must say to give anything to trump galls me! However, his posts have always been invaluable as to his relationship to trump and his minions. He has laid bare his imperfections and showed his humanness. His insight is invaluable to me and I believe many others. I stand with Michael.
Agreed Linda! I posted an update. A clarification from my POV. A good independent journalist could do an expose on Cohen's comments at the time and the scandal it's clearly generated now. Perhaps the parties in question can explain themselves and come to a clear consensus of opinion based on facts. Cohen while it's been hurtful, clearly some responsibility and clarity is warranted.
It was explained on the MTN last night from Ron on the "This Weekend in Politics" post. If you scroll towards the bottom of the post, you'll see the explanation.
I'll check it out. I saw the announcement but not explanation.
Thank you Joanne.
You're welcome, Suzanne.
To be continued: there were a lot of subscribers asking for an explanation as to why Michael was dropped from the MTN, some being outraged. They had to finally answer.
So I'm posting an update as a fellow subscriber pointed me to the Meidas explanation and here's my Meidas post.
Ron,
I can appreciate the explanation on Cohen, however it also appears you have some of your own bias which is fine. If the bros want to cut ties, that's their perogative. It is a business decision as much as anything. While we have much more important things in America going on to talk about and review, it might be interesting to see an expose coverage of the allegations like the big boys in legacy news do. I don't know that Meidas is equipped to do that, but a good independent review could be valuable. I've never thought Cohen was a saint, and he does bring value to the Trump narrative. I for one am not going to shoot him! Hopefully he's learned a lesson or two and continues to share insight.
I agree. I dumped Medias and kept Cohen. I loved Ron but he was the only voice of reason, IMHO, in a collection of overt progressivism which isn't going to win us an election. Let's just win the elections and then villify those that aren't "progressive" enough.
You couldn’t be more wrong. Centrist democrats are going to cost us elections. We need real progressives.
Mr. Cohen,
I wish I could make you understand that your pain is my pain.
What your articulate writing does is open the blinds to the sunshine( truth). Even the sun can burn, but it also helps truth to grow. And more and more of us will benefit when more truth is overtaking the weeds of destruction and of immorality.
What you share feels like an earthquake of the human soul. And everyday more and more of those of us who want to be about the truth gain.
Thank you for writing. Your gift with words helps the world to heal. Empathy can only be practiced if we understand one another’s pain. I hold you in my heart.
The “pack” can only eat one another. But we do not need to be part of the menu if we make truth our diet.
Thank you again for not giving up. We need your story to help heal this country.
😇🙏🏻👏🏻❤️
My concern, and I said something similar in a comment on MeidasTouch, is that this evolving division is what the fascists want. Divide and conquer; it's a time-honored strategy. Don't take the bait! Don't buy in. It's not Cohen vs Meidas. It has to be US --We The People-- versus the illegitimate regime destroying our country. As Benjamin Franklin said, "We must all hang together or surely we will all hang separately." Please people, stop looking for villains within the ranks of We The People. None of us will pass the purity test. The villains are elsewhere, laughing at this blowup.
Exactly, well said
I'm struggling to understand what lies are being spread. I see the article that states you said you were coerced or pressured into certain testimony against Trump and I don't understand why you would say that when you know how the legal system works and how prosecutors want to get the relevant information in front of the jury. I just can't really see you allowing yourself to be coerced so I just don't understand why you said that. But apparently you DID say it, so what are the lies? Also, I don't know what that Lev guy has to do with all of this, but I must say that I don't like him. Whenever I come across him being in a video, I skip it. He rubs me the wrong way. I feel for you, Michael, because I have come to admire you greatly. I know you went through hell. I can't tell you I know how it feels because I don't, but I know you suffered it and have the deal with the aftermath which is most likely horrifying. And to know that your family is suffering through it with you is also horrifying. I don't agree with Ron that you are a manipulator and only care about yourself. That sounds like Trump to me, not Michael Cohen. I just wish I understood what was going on and I wish you hadn't been cut out so suddenly without being allowed to give further explanation of your meaning when you said you felt coerced. Confused, dismayed, but still rooting for you, Michael.
Sincerely, Vicky L. Stow.
I just observed in court that exact leading of the witness by his lawyer, and he went right along with it. Then he testified the opposite in the next hearing. Michael, the well-trained lawyer, observed what was going on.
On TV, the other side then objects to this. That doesn’t mean Michael answered the questions inappropriately. The questions are asked strategically to control the narrative. We’re just pawns in the game.
Michael, let us know the Winston Churchill quote. Something like, so you have enemies. It means you stood up for something.
Keep it up!
So you're saying Michael went along with coercion and testified the way they wanted him to testify and then testified to the opposite in another hearing? I'm just more confused now.
Agree!
Stop with the Trump victim playbook. Answer the questions - truth always wins.
Exactly. Why is there an email in the Epstein files from Cohen's lawyer to the federal prosecutor saying Cohen -- who has repeatedly stated that he knows nothing about Epstein's connection to Trump -- can provide testimony about Trump's relationship with Epstein in exchange for a reduced sentence?
The crux (forgive the redundancy):
Tara Palmeri says the Epstein files contain a 2019 email from Cohen's lawyer saying Cohen can provide information about Trump's relationship with Epstein in exchange for a reduced sentence. Michael is writing posts about being persecuted but saying nothing about this evidence of him LYING each of the many times he's claimed to know nothing about Trump's relationship with Epstein.
Here's Palmeri talking about this:
https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1DWnpqG6qf/