During Monday’s testimony in his Manhattan hush money case, former fixer Michael Cohen provided insight into Donald Trump’s avoidance of email and reluctance to maintain an email address. Cohen revealed that Trump’s apprehension stemmed from a deep-seated fear of leaving behind a digital trail that could potentially be seized by prosecutors. According to Cohen, Trump perceives emails as tantamount to physical documents, susceptible to being weaponized against him in legal proceedings.
What Cohen had to say more or less sheds light on Trump’s cautious approach to digital communication, reflecting a broader skepticism toward technology’s vulnerability to legal scrutiny. This sentiment was echoed by former Trump personal assistant Madeleine Westerhout, who affirmed that, to her knowledge, Trump refrained from using email or even computers during his tenure in office.
Moreover, Cohen’s testimony underscores Trump’s acute awareness of the legal jeopardy posed by electronic communication, given his personal experiences and those of his associates. He emphasized that Trump’s aversion to email was not merely speculative but grounded in tangible concerns, as evidenced by the unfortunate legal fates of individuals who have been ensnared by their digital footprints.
In contrast to Trump’s avoidance of email, Cohen admitted to occasionally resorting to alternative communication methods, such as encrypted messaging apps like Signal. He acknowledged using such platforms to correspond with figures like former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker, illustrating the necessity for discretion in navigating sensitive matters.
