MSNBC Panelists Scoff at Michael Cohen’s ‘Apology’ to Americans at Trump Trial: ‘Let’s Not Try To Make Yourself Captain America Here’

MSNBC legal analysts Charles Coleman Jr. and David Cevallos found themselves equally as put off by Michael Cohen testifying on Tuesday that he’d apologized to the American people for his work with Donald Trump.

The former president is facing more than 30 felony counts in his Manhattan hush money trial for falsifying business records. According to Cohen and the prosecution, Cohen covered hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to cover up an alleged affair between her and the president. Cohen has testified that Trump was aware of these plans and would reimburse him. Trump has denied any wrongdoing and that the affair ever happened.

Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations, tax fraud, and more in 2018 and was sentenced to three years in prison.

While testifying on Tuesday, Cohen said he’d apologized to the American people for withholding information about someone seeking the highest office in the country.

“I apologized to Congress, I apologized to the country, I apologized to my family,” Cohen said.

“Why did you apologize to the American public?” prosecutor Susan Hoffinger asked.

“For lying to them and suppressing info and the citizenry had a right to know about the individual seeking the highest office in the land,” Cohen said.

Coleman began his analysis by first honing in on Cohen’s “apology.”

“I don’t necessarily love the ‘I apologize to the American people’…” he said.

Cevallos jumped in with a sigh of relief and his hand on Coleman’s back.

“I am so glad you said that. I couldn’t agree more,” he said.

“Especially coming from Michael Cohen,” Coleman said, adding the moment felt “contrived” and the supposed “epiphany” is no the best sell to the jury when it comes to a controversial and criminal witness like Cohen.

“He did this for truth, justice, and the American way?” Cevallos said. “I doubt it. He did it for himself like all cooperating witnesses do.”

“Yeah, let’s not try to make yourself Captain America. Just stick to the fact that, ‘I was in bed with with a guy who wanted to win an election really badly,'” Coleman added. “I personally think the better route is to really lean into the notion of Donald Trump’s desperation and obsession with winning the White House.”

“This is Cohen wanting to look like a hero,” Cevallos said.

Watch above via MSNBC.