BREAKING: Michael Cohen’s former attorney says Cohen paid for Stormy Daniels story himself without Trump’s knowledge

Costello explained in a Congressional hearing that although Cohen did not believe the allegations made by Daniels, he chose to address them independently, fearing the potential damage to Trump’s presidential campaign and his marriage to Melania Trump.

According to Costello, Michael Cohen said, “I didn’t believe the allegation, but I knew that such an allegation would be terribly embarrassing… on Melania Trump… that’s why I decided to take care of this on my own.”

Further clarifying Cohen’s actions, Costello stated that Cohen acted without Trump’s involvement and did not receive financial support from Trump or his organizations. Instead, Cohen allegedly secured funds by taking out a loan against his property to pay Daniels.

“It was clear after talking to him for several days after that… he kept on bringing up the subject he felt he was betrayed by not being brought down to Washington DC,” Costello continued.

“This guy thought, he said to me, that he should have been attorney general of the United States or at least the chief assistant to the president. Ludicrous, but that’s what he thought.”

According to Costello, Cohen’s motivation was to regain favor and position himself back into Trump’s inner circle.

“He wanted to do something to put himself back into the inner circle of Donald Trump. That’s why he took care of this on his own,” he explained.

Costello also criticized Cohen’s recent statements and testimonies, suggesting they contradict his previous admissions

“Michael Cohen is always working for things that benefit himself. And that’s what he is doing here. That’s completely different to what he said he told the grand jury, that’s completely different to what he’s testifying to in New York.