Michael Dean Cohen, born on August 25, 1966, in Lawrence, New York, is a disbarred lawyer best known for his role as a personal attorney and confidant to former U.S. President Donald Trump. Once considered a key figure within Trump’s inner circle, Cohen’s career has taken dramatic turns, culminating in his conviction for federal crimes and his subsequent transformation into a vocal critic of the former president. His trajectory—from loyal legal “fixer” to whistleblower—offers a window into the complexities of power, loyalty, and the legal pitfalls of operating at the highest levels of politics and business.
Michael Cohen was born and raised in Lawrence, New York, on Long Island, in a Jewish family. His father, Maurice Cohen, was a Holocaust survivor who worked as a surgeon, while his mother, Sondra, was a nurse. Cohen grew up in a middle-class environment and attended Woodmere Academy, a private college-preparatory school.
For higher education, Cohen earned a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from American University in 1988. He subsequently pursued a career in law, graduating with a Juris Doctor degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School (now known as Western Michigan University Cooley Law School) in 1991. After passing the bar, Cohen began his career practicing law in New York, initially focusing on personal injury cases.
Before aligning with Donald Trump, Cohen built a reputation as a lawyer and businessman, engaging in ventures that spanned real estate, taxi medallions, and various investments. Notably, he became known for his aggressive legal tactics and willingness to take on controversial cases.
Cohen co-owned a fleet of New York City taxi medallions, a once-lucrative investment in the city’s regulated taxi industry. He financed this venture through loans, partnerships, and investments, though the decline of the taxi industry in the face of competition from ride-share companies like Uber would later lead to financial difficulties for Cohen.
Cohen delved into real estate investments, purchasing properties in New York City. Some of these ventures reportedly involved complex financial arrangements, which later drew scrutiny during federal investigations.
Cohen’s life changed dramatically in 2006 when he joined the Trump Organization. Initially brought on as an attorney, Cohen quickly became one of Donald Trump’s most trusted associates, earning the nickname “Trump’s fixer.” In this role, Cohen was entrusted with handling Trump’s personal and business disputes, often operating in the shadows to resolve potentially damaging issues.
Cohen’s unwavering loyalty to Trump was reflected in statements like his infamous declaration that he would “take a bullet” for his boss. However, his actions during his time as Trump’s attorney would ultimately lead to his downfall.
The unraveling of Cohen’s career began with investigations into his financial dealings and his role in Trump’s alleged campaign finance violations. In August 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty to eight federal charges, including:
Cohen admitted to arranging these payments at Trump’s direction to silence allegations of extramarital affairs, thereby influencing the election. His plea agreement marked the beginning of a public break with Trump, whom Cohen later accused of directing illegal activities.
In December 2018, Cohen was sentenced to three years in federal prison, fined $50,000, and ordered to forfeit $1.4 million in assets. He began serving his sentence in May 2019 at Otisville Federal Correctional Institution, a facility in New York known for housing white-collar criminals.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cohen was released to home confinement in May 2020 and served the remainder of his sentence under house arrest. He was officially released in November 2021.
As a result of his criminal convictions, Cohen was disbarred in February 2019 by the New York Supreme Court.
Following his guilty plea and imprisonment, Cohen severed ties with Trump and became one of his most vocal critics. In testimony before Congress in February 2019, Cohen labeled Trump a “racist,” “conman,” and “cheat,” providing documents that he claimed substantiated his allegations.
Cohen’s public denunciation of Trump included revelations about the former president’s business practices, legal maneuvers, and alleged ethical violations. He claimed that Trump had misused charitable funds, manipulated real estate valuations, and sought to profit from his presidency.
Since his release, Cohen has authored books and frequently appeared in media interviews to discuss his experiences and perspectives on Trump’s presidency. His publications include:
Cohen also launched a podcast, “Mea Culpa”, where he interviews political figures, legal experts, and other commentators, discussing current events and his insights into corruption and accountability.
Michael Cohen’s story is one of loyalty, power, and betrayal. Once a central figure in Trump’s orbit, Cohen’s legal troubles and subsequent cooperation with investigators have left an indelible mark on the narrative surrounding Trump’s presidency. His transformation from Trump’s “fixer” to outspoken critic has made him a polarizing figure in American politics, eliciting both praise and criticism for his role in exposing Trump’s alleged misconduct.
Cohen’s experiences also serve as a cautionary tale about the legal and ethical pitfalls of operating in high-stakes political and business environments. While his criminal actions have tarnished his reputation, his subsequent efforts to speak out against corruption have positioned him as a complex and controversial voice in the political landscape.
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