The testimony from Trump’s former personal attorney and fixer Michael Cohen in front of the House Oversight Committee on Wednesday morning has been explosive, but one thing has left a lasting impression.
At least twice during his opening statement, Cohen stared directly into the camera to address Trump directly. The first time, Cohen gazed into the camera and stated, dramatically, “I am no longer your fixer, Mr. Trump.”
Later, in speaking to Trump’s treatment of John McCain’s POW status during the Vietnam War and Trump’s own deferment of service, Cohen questioned the veracity of Trump’s claim. Trump has claimed he was unfit to serve due to bone spurs.
“And I find it ironic, Mr. President,” Cohen said, “that you are in Vietnam right now.”
Cohen was, of course, referring to Trump’s current trip to Vietnam to meet with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un. Cohen’s dig has some extra mustard considering Trump tweeted an insult overnight aimed at the Vietnam service time of Sen. Dick Blumenthal
I have now spent more time in Vietnam than Da Nang Dick Blumenthal, the third rate Senator from Connecticut (how is Connecticut doing?). His war stories of his heroism in Vietnam were a total fraud – he was never even there. We talked about it today with Vietnamese leaders!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 27, 2019
The moments were perfect for multiple reasons. One, Trump loves the cameras and Cohen seems to relish the spotlight, too, making it the perfect way for the two to trade shade. Second, given Trump’s media diet, there’s a very good chance Trump was watching at the testimony at his hotel in Vietnam.
Just a note: The president is back at his hotel in Hanoi for the evening, and the standard operating procedure is to have Fox News waiting for him on the TV once he makes it back to his suite.
— Katie Rogers (@katierogers) February 27, 2019
Cohen’s glare didn’t go unnoticed by Twitter, either.
Cohen looks right at the camera and says “I find it ironic, Mr. President, that you are in Vietnam right now.”
No fucks left to give. None.
— Elizabeth C. McLaughlin (@ECMcLaughlin) February 27, 2019
Cohen looks right into the camera and says he’s not Trump’s fixer anymore. Straight gangster.
— Mike Rundle (@flyosity) February 27, 2019
One of the best moments of the #CohenHearing: Michael Cohen testifying in front of the House, and looking directly into the camera, speaking directly to Trump, “I’m not your fixer anymore Donald Trump.” It’s ballsy. It says “I’m not afraid of you Donald, bring it on.”
— Nika Giantsios
(@chaquita91) February 27, 2019
There’s plenty more to come from Cohen’s testimony and there will surely be more words exchanged between the two parties, but there’s no denying the stone cold power move that Cohen played, making it clear to Trump that he’s not going to back down.
If the country is going down in flames, at least it’s entertaining.
from Declare News https://ift.tt/2tGHSRd
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