Michael Cohen Image by Gettty Images

By Dave Goldiner April 19, 2018

A lawyer and close Jewish confidant of President Trump has warned him that Michael Cohen is virtually certain to cooperate with prosecutors if he faces a lengthy prison term.

Jay Goldberg, who did extensive legal work for the Donald, told Trump that on a loyalty scale of 1 to 100, Cohen is “less than 1,” the Wall Street Journal reported.

“Michael will never stand up (for you)” if he’s charged, Goldberg told the paper and CNN, recounting the phone conversation with Trump.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

Goldberg, who represented Trump in his divorces from Ivana Trump and Marla Maples, told the president not to put stock in Cohen’s expressions of devotion, such as the time the lawyer claimed he would “take a bullet” for his boss.

All that bravado will melt away if and when Cohen starts staring at the prospect of spending most of the rest of his life behind bars, Goldberg warned.

“Anybody who is facing 30 years never stands up,” he told CNN. “Without exception, a person facing a prison term cooperates.”

Cohen was clearly shaken by last week’s dramatic raids on his home and law office, and was apparently unaware that he was under serious criminal scrutiny. He appeared chastened and has shelved his aggressive “pit bull” demeanor for the time being.

Trump may also fear that prosecutors now hold extensive incriminating material about him which legal analysts say would not be covered by attorney-client privilege claims.

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount