PBD Podcast Who Is Michael Cohen? | PBD 728
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Jan 29, 2026 Michael Cohen, former personal lawyer to Donald Trump turned public figure and author. He talks about pressure from prosecutors and his shifting stance toward Trump. He recounts legal fallout, who stood by him, and regrets about speaking out. He outlines a proposed Trump Emancipation Order and reflects on prison, loyalty, and attempts at reconciliation.
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Trump's Leverage Playbook
- Donald Trump uses leverage and pressure consistently to force settlements or concessions from institutions.
- Michael Cohen frames this as a repeatable negotiation tactic learned at the Trump Organization and used in the White House context.
Settle Early To Limit Escalation
- Settle early when a powerful adversary applies escalating pressure to minimize total cost and exposure.
- Try to negotiate smaller concessions to prevent the opponent from increasing demands further.
How The Russia Hoax Led To Prosecution
- Michael Cohen describes how the Russia/Steele dossier led prosecutors to target him despite his denials about Prague and fabricated claims.
- He says subpoenas and document pressure forced him into cooperating with investigators he otherwise would have avoided.
