Michael Cohen says Attorney General Bill Barr has replaced him as Trump's 'new fixer'
President Trump's former fixer says there's a simple explanation for his tax return runaround.
Trump has done everything in his power to avoid disclosing his tax returns. He has constantly appealed court rulings allowing investigators and Congress a window into his finances and even sicced the Justice Department on them, inviting countless questions about just what he's hiding.
But Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer turned enemy, suggested to CNN on Wednesday that it's a whole bunch of little things Trump is hiding. Specifically, Trump "doesn't report the income that he claims, his wealth is not as significant," and he has probably taken some "lenient" deductions over the years. "His biggest fear is that if in fact the tax return was released ... he will end up with a massive tax bill, fraud penalties, fines, and possibly even tax fraud," Cohen continued.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In a tweet, CNN's Jim Sciutto seemed surprised Cohen's explanation could be "that simple." "Everything" with the president "is simple," Cohen responded.
Of course, Cohen isn't Trump's right-hand man anymore, but Cohen says Trump has had no problem finding a replacement. Rudy Giuliani has partly taken over, but "for the most part" it's Attorney General William Barr who has "tak[en] an illustrious career and throw[n] it right down the toilet" by becoming Trump's toady, Cohen said.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
How can you save on homeowners insurance?
The Explainer With the rise in extreme weather, house protection is a non-negotiable
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
Donald Trump is downplaying his position on abortion
The Explainer He says it's a state issue, but opponents have concerns
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
5 spellbinding new books to read in October. Witches and colonization tales included.
The Week Recommends Ta-Nehisi Coates shines a light on Palestine, and Louise Erdrich takes us to North Dakota
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Ports reopen after dockworkers halt strike
Speed Read The 36 ports that closed this week, from Maine to Texas, will start reopening today
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Empty-nest boomers aren't selling their big homes
Speed Read Most Americans 60 and older do not intend to move, according to a recent survey
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Brazil accuses Musk of 'disinformation campaign'
Speed Read A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk and X
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney board fends off Peltz infiltration bid
Speed Read Disney CEO Bob Iger has defeated activist investor Nelson Peltz in a contentious proxy battle
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney and DeSantis reach detente
Speed Read The Florida governor and Disney settle a yearslong litigation over control of the tourism district
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Visa and Mastercard agree to lower swipe fees
Speed Read The companies will cap the fees they charge businesses when customers use their credit cards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Reddit IPO values social media site at $6.4 billion
Speed Read The company makes its public debut on the New York Stock Exchange
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Housing costs: the root of US economic malaise?
speed read Many voters are troubled by the housing affordability crisis
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published