Former President Donald Trump welcomed reports that lawyer Robert Costello is expected to testify before the Manhattan grand jury investigating an alleged hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels.
Costello briefly provided legal advice to former Trump lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen around the time of an FBI raid on his home and office back in 2018 and has since criticized Cohen publicly. Trump's team requested Costello testify before the panel, according to the Wall Street Journal.
MICHAEL COHEN'S FORMER LAWYER LIKELY TO TESTIFY IN MANHATTAN TRUMP INQUIRY: REPORT
“Just reported that the most important witness to go before the New York City grand jury, a highly respected lawyer who once represented convicted felon, jailbird, and serial fake storyteller and liar, Michael Cohen, will be doing so tomorrow afternoon,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.
Cohen reportedly waived attorney-client privilege claims with Costello already, clearing the way for his testimony. Costello publicly recalled Cohen informed him the payment to Daniels was made to protect Melania Trump and that he also sought a pardon from Trump on Cohen's behalf, per the Wall Street Journal.
“The information he will present will supposedly be conclusive and irrefutable! Witch hunt!!!” Trump added.
Costello contacted a Trump lawyer claiming to have information that counters Cohen's account, a source told the Associated Press. Cohen has made multiple appearances before both prosecutors and the grand jury, the latter of which he testified to last Wednesday, per CNN.
In 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty to charges related to the alleged payment to Daniels. He opted to have a different lawyer from Costello represent him on that deal. Trump was invited to testify before the panel, according to NPR.
Manhattan prosecutors are homing in on the alleged $130,000 hush money payment to Daniels during the 2016 election cycle in exchange for her keeping mum about an alleged affair with Trump about a decade earlier. Additionally, prosecutors are reportedly zeroing in on related falsification of business records related to the alleged payment.
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The Washington Examiner contacted the Manhattan district attorney and Costello for comment.
Trump has vehemently denied wrongdoing and decried the inquiry as a witch hunt. On Saturday, he suggested he "will be arrested on Tuesday" and called for protests.