One America News, a far-right cable news network, issued a full retraction on Monday for a March 27 article involving former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen. The retraction followed Cohen’s retention of the same legal counsel used by Dominion Voting Systems, who sued Fox News and secured a settlement of $787.5 million in damages.
The retraction addressed an article titled “Whistleblower: Avenatti Alleged Cohen-Daniels Affair Since 2006, Pre-2016 Trump Extortion Plan.” OAN announced that the article would be removed from all websites and social media platforms. The retraction was part of a settlement reached with Michael Cohen, which did not include any monetary compensation for Cohen. The network apologized to Cohen for any harm caused by the publication.
The retraction stated that the article was false and included a bold, all-caps disclaimer that said, “NO PERSON SHOULD RELY ON THE MARCH 27 ARTICLE OR THE ALLEGATIONS CONTAINED THEREIN.” OAN explained that the article falsely claimed Cohen and adult actress Stormy Daniels were involved in an affair since 2006 and that the “hush-money” scheme was concocted by Cohen to extort the Trump Organization before the 2016 election. OAN expressed regret for the article’s publication.
Michael Cohen is currently a key witness in a case brought by New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg against former President Donald Trump, which involves allegations of falsifying business documents linked to hush money payments, including those to Stormy Daniels.
OAN, a pro-Trump network known for promoting conspiracy theories, seemed to be attempting to discredit Cohen before his testimony in the trial, implying that he and Daniels had a scheme to damage and extort Trump.
