Currently, I’m not watching the news because if I see Stormy Daniels’ lawyer Michael Avenatti, my whole day is shot. Avenatti is “the dreamboat” of this whole Trump mess. Every other man is a predator, a moron, a traitor and/or a douchebag. But Michael Avenatti is my Forever Bae. I know a lot of people have been doing a lot of good work behind-the-scenes, but I truly feel like Avenatti should get a lot of credit for all of the sh-t that has unfolded between Stormy Daniels, Donald Trump and Michael Cohen. It might even be the key that unlocks the riddle of how America gets rid of the Trumps. But I shouldn’t get ahead of myself. This week, the story is about how Trump lawyer Michael Cohen is going to plead the fifth in the Stormy Daniels civil suit. Hahahaha.
President Trump’s longtime attorney, Michael Cohen, will invoke his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination in a civil lawsuit brought by adult entertainer Stormy Daniels — a move that would prevent him revealing anything that could be used later by federal prosecutors.
“Based on the advice of counsel, I will assert my 5th Amendment rights in connection with all proceedings in this case due to the ongoing criminal investigation by the FBI and U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York,” Cohen wrote in the filing in Los Angeles federal court.
The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution spells out the right of individuals not to be compelled to testify against themselves. The civil suit brought by Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, names Cohen as a defendant. Daniels, who says she had an affair with Donald Trump a decade ago, signed a confidentiality agreement with Cohen days before the 2016 election in exchange for $130,000 — money that Cohen says he paid out with an equity loan on his house. She is seeking to void the contract. Since the questions are likely to overlap in the civil suit and any criminal case brought in connection with the contract, taking the Fifth would save Cohen from revealing anything in the Daniels case that could be used later in the criminal probe.
Earlier this month, the FBI raided Cohen’s office, home and a hotel room in connection with its criminal probe.
“Talking, when you’re the subject of an investigation, when they are thinking that this contract was a federal crime … is incredibly reckless,” Ken White, a former assistant U.S. attorney in Los Angeles, tells NPR. “The only sensible thing to do is shut up and not make it worse.”
Taking the Fifth is a basic constitutional right, but even so, many people believe it implies guilt. During the campaign, then-candidate Trump compared Hillary Clinton staffers pleading the Fifth in the email investigation to mobsters. At a campaign rally he said: “The mob takes the Fifth. If you’re innocent, why are you taking the Fifth Amendment?”
It is a big deal! The walls are closing in on Michael Cohen. I was asked yesterday if I think Cohen will flip on Donald Trump, and my answer is the same: yes, he will, but we have to be patient. Wait for the state and federal charges to start piling up. Wait for Cohen to feel the walls crushing him as they collapse. Then he’ll flip. Hopefully all of that will be happening soon.
I shouldn’t have even watched this video of Avenatti! Now I’m going to be fantasizing about our dream life together, fighting traitors and banging constantly.
This is a stunning development. Never before in our nation’s history has the attorney for the sitting President invoked the 5th Amend in connection with issues surrounding the President. It is esp. stunning seeing as MC served as the “fixer” for Mr. Trump for over 10 yrs. #basta
— Michael Avenatti (@MichaelAvenatti) April 25, 2018
Michael Avenatti: "Michael Cohen is claiming he can't answer the questions because the answers will incriminate him. This is a staggering development. It cannot be over exaggerated. It cannot be overstated. This is a big deal." pic.twitter.com/iRDwFk2kHZ
— Together we rise 🌊 (@Matsamon) April 26, 2018
Photos courtesy of WENN, Pacific Coast News.
But,but, but….I thought 45 said only guilty people plead the fifth!!
It’s still hard for me to be excited about this. While it is highly likely that this is just his attorney being really stupid and arrogant, I still feel like it is also because he is given reason to believe he is untouchable. I’ll get excited IF he actually flips on 45, not before.
There’s always a tweet or previous statement for everything. It’s amazing
45 is right (can’t believe I just typed that) Cohen is guilty. He can hope for a pardon. He will also be charged with crimes in NY state & the circus peanut in the Oval won’t be able to help him & he will flip
and if he’s pardoned, his right to plead the fifth goes out the door and he must spill.
eh, Mueller et all probably don’t need any info from him as they have Cohen’s computer files, hard files, his own recordings, etc…plus, he was under investigation/surveillance for MONTHS preceding the raid. it’s likely they won’t need his testimony to nail him.
which leads me to agree with Kaiser; I think once he realizes how much they have on him, he’ll sing like a canary.
Just here to say that circus peanut is my new favorite name for Cheeto Benito.
Dear God, Avenatti is gorgeous.
I know. Swoon.
SUCH a dreamboat on every level. I actually get nervous when he’s on TV, because I’m afraid he’ll say something douchy and ruin everything. But – so far so good!
This! I keep my fingers crossed that he’s a solid guy.
Please God, let us have at least ONE NICE THING in this sh*tstorm.
Kaiser, you should be watching Morning Joe right now. Avenatti has been on for 30 minutes. Plus, Trump just admitted on Fox & Friends that Cohen represented him in the Stormy Daniels matter. Watching Avenatti react to that when they played the tape was priceless.
That was great to watch. Do you think dumbass Donnie realizes how much he contradicts himself every time he speaks? He sounded insane while ranting and raving. Trump just admitted a lot and gave it to the lawyers on a platter. Wow
What was Avenatti alluding to when he was talking to Mika about the $1.6M payoff and the three clients that Cohen has? I was half asleep and didn’t follow him.
The 1.6 million is the total payoffs to women that he (MC) allegedly handled for two of his clients.
Update – Apparently Avenhottie hinted that the 1.6 payment may not have been for the benefit of the wealthy donor, as previously reported.
That leaves the two other clients or perhaps another person as the client who paid off the model? This attorney seems one step ahead of the news cycle…
Watching the fox anchors’ facial expressions and body language while the crazy old man was ranting was gold too!
He’s The Sex, but is he short? Whatever. I would make an exception for him….
Six feet tall. I love tall, sexy guys and he’s one of them
Really?
Back off–he’s mine!!!! .\/.
Wait your turn! Me first!
Fighting traitors and banging constantly 😂😂😂😂
A sexy activist is from God. Thank you✨😄
Kaiser, Avenatti should be your prize for all you have done to keep us sane throughout this Trumpkin mess!
@Kitty I know !! Best quote of the day!
He’s on MSNBC right now!
Thanks for telling! Gotta watch Aven-HOTTIE
Funny watching old clips of Trump saying that anyone who pleads the 5th is obviously guilty. I love how there’s tweets or comments in interviews about almost everything that come back to haunt Trump.
Avenatti is beautiful to watch every day. He’s so sharp and sexy and his confidence, intelligence and attitude are amazing
It’s clear that someone connected to Trump will go to jail. Maybe they can turn a trump tower into a prison because it seems like it may be quite crowded. On unrelated note – Affleck totally has to play Cohen in a movie, they look so alike to me.
@Kaiser – Did you watch Avenatti on The Circus this week? So good. #fangirling
Was just coming here to ask Kaiser the same thing. The Circus is must-watch, and Avenatti on last week’s ep was soooo good. The last minute alone was worth it.
Where can I watch it?
He’s such a sharp dude. Trump must terrified of him…
Showtime.
Thanks, Mia!
I really like The Circus. It’s amazing how up to date it is. The editors must pull all nighters!
I’m glad they cut their own predator loose and replaced him quickly.
Kitten, it’s on HBO
Yup. Glad he’s gone.
Halperin was my least favorite part of the show. I never liked his vibe.
Im liking Alex Wagner. I have a bit of agirl-crush.
(Thanks for the tip on The Circus)
I laughed, but then I remembered that his followers are stupid and willfully deluded enough to ignore such an obvious sign of corruption.
I’m with you on the HOT LAWYER!! He’s 45 and single, btw. Not that I’ve googled him or anything.
This is news we need to know. He’s so hot and smart. Tingles!
LOL!
We need more Avenatti’s in this country. NOW.
THIS was the really big national news story yesterday, but Kanye West helped Trump distract from it with his lunacy.
Also, Ronny Jackson just withdrew himself from the VA nomination. Between those two stories, Trump is probably close to yet another meltdown but his new BFF Kanye helped him distract from it.
Only the best people for 45, right?
Does anyone else suspect that the WH wanted Ronny to stay in the hot seat a little longer, as a convenient distraction?
Pompeo is still dangling as is that woman he nominated for CIA. His new BFF Kanye can fill the role of distraction.
Ronny doesn’t realize it now, but he dodged a bullet. No self-respecting doctor should go anywhere near this dumpster fire of an administration. Sadly, Trump will have no problem finding another corrupt doctor willing to sell his soul to be part of the Trumpocalypse.
Hopefully Ron can move on and salvage whatever is left of his tattered career.
And all the dirt on Ronny makes me certain he lied about Trump’s health and weight.
He made a complete fool of himself with that great genes/could have lived to age 200 nonsense he said at the news conference. It was completely over the top. And the weight/height numbers are not believable. It’s obvious that combination puts him a pound shy of obesity.
@Rapunzel-
One of the reports on him featured a quote stating he was a “kiss up/ kick down” kind of boss, so your assumption is essentiallly a given.
That and the fact that we all have eyes!!
To me the biggest problem with Jackson is that he does not have the administrative experience to handle something as complex and troubled as the VA. Trump may have wanted to award Jackson for loyalty or who knows what but Jackson was a very bad choice on all sorts of levels.
Everything Orange Lizard touches dies. Ronny can kiss his career good bye. I fail to see how he can maintain his license to practice while he is known as the Candy Man.
I’m suspicious that all this was coordinated on DT/Kanye ‘s part. Every Trump was retweeting him.
The thing that gets me is with so many Trump associates getting indicted and investigated all of his supporters still think Trump is innocent and a victim of a witch hunt.
only the best people, amirite?
If it’s what you say it is, Michael Cohen, I love it!
As with the ladies, even Lawrence O’Donnell dreams of a kind of tantric relationship with Michael Avenatti:
Lawrence: can you stay the full hour?
Did you see Anderson Cooper’s report on all of “the best people” that Trump has nominated? It was spot on.
Thanks for reminding me about trump’s comments on the 5th! Posted that as a comment on the daily mail article on Michael cohen
I think Mr. A is going to show Zero and his cronies who has the stamina to go the distance.
I doubt this bunch has ever encountered anyone like Mr. A and his client, who aren’t getting worn down by the diversions. There has to be a reason Zero won’t mention him in tweets.
And by the weekend, Zero and his remaining Orange Org will probably claim Cohen was a guy who just bought some apartments and they barely knew him.
Zero WISHES Mr. A was his attorney. Unfortunately for him, Mr. A would be on that list of 99% of attorneys that would never put their fingerprints on his train wreck.
I doubt it will matter if he speaks or not – if they had enough evidence to raid an attorney’s office, they have enough evidence to take him down.
I haven’t been paying much attention to this Avenatti, but I think now I will!
By taking the 5th, Michael Cohen has much to hide. You can’t make this stuff up. What a tangle web we weave ,when we have much to deceive.
From my perspective as an attorney (albeit not a litigator) taking the 5th was a prudent legal move regardless/irrespective of guilt or innocence.
With respect to Avenatti, I have an attorney friend who moves in the same legal circles (location and specialty.) I asked my friend via text if he knew Avenatti and whether he was a douche canoe in real life. I got a vague/lawyerish answer in response but one that inferred yes to the douche canoe question. I’m getting together with this friend this weekend so on behalf of my fellow CBers I shall try to get more info!!
Oooh, thank you for the recon, HannahF! Will be watching for your updates. Fingers crossed that he’s indeed the dreamboat we all hope he is…
I think he’s cute, but I prefer men with a full head of hair. But he sure does seem to be an effective attorney.