During Trump's civil fraud trial in New York, Michael Cohen has been asked to explain his testimony where he admitted to lying when he pleaded guilty. Cohen clarified that his intention was to take responsibility for his actions, as he did not dispute the underlying facts of the case. He revealed that he felt pressured to accept a plea offer within 48 hours, or face the possibility of a detailed indictment that also involved his wife.
Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger intervened to clarify that when Cohen mentioned lying to the federal judge, he was not referring to falsely pleading guilty to the campaign finance crimes associated with Trump. This distinction is crucial in understanding the context of Cohen's statements during the trial.