Alex Brandon/AP Photo
- Michael Cohen paid a tech firm to run a Twitter account with the purpose of making him look like a "sex symbol" during the 2016 election.
- When asked about the account Wednesday, Cohen told members of Congress that it was not created to protect Donald Trump.
- Instead, he said, the account was created as a means to have "fun during a stressful time."
- Follow along with all the updates from Cohen's testimony here.
Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's former longtime personal lawyer, paid a small tech firm to run a fake Twitter account called @WomenForCohen, which was intended to make him look like a "sex symbol" and a "pit bull."
When asked about the account Wednesday, Cohen told members of Congress that it was not created to protect Trump. Instead, he said, the account was created as a means to have "fun during a stressful time."
"When you created the fake Twitter account @WomenforCohen and paid a firm to post tweets like this one, 'In a world of lies, deception, and fraud appreciate this honest guy @MichaelCohen. #TGIF #handsome #sexy.' Was that done to protect the president?" Rep. Jim Jordan asked.
Cohen insisted he did not pay RedFinch Solutions LLC to specifically tweet that, only to run the account.
In January, The Wall Street Journal reported that Cohen paid the firm to create the account in May 2016 in support of him. Cohen later confirmed that to CNN.
"I didn't actually set that up, it was done by a young woman who worked for RedFinch," he said. "During the course of the campaign, which you would know, it's somewhat crazy and wild. We were having fun."
Cohen reiterated that the account was real. "That was a real Twitter account," Cohen said. "It exists."
Read more: LIVE: Former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen testifies before Congress in blockbuster hearing
During the exchange with Jordan, Cohen said he did not create the account to protect Trump and is "not sure" how the account helped him, either.
"We were having fun during a stressful time," he said of @WomenForCohen.
Watch the full exchange below:
The @WomenForCohen page, which is still intact, says it is for "women who love and support Michael Cohen. Strong, pit bull, sex symbol, no-nonsense, business-oriented, and ready to make a difference!" The account has 785 tweets, although it has not been active since late December 2016.
Here are some highlights.
Read more about Cohen's testimony:
- Michael Cohen will testify that Trump knew Roger Stone was in touch with WikiLeaks during the election
- 'I am ashamed because I know what Mr. Trump is': Michael Cohen's bombshell opening statement before the House Oversight Committee drops hours before he is scheduled to testify
- Here are the 4 documents Michael Cohen says he gave to the House Oversight Committee that could be problematic for Trump
- Michael Cohen details hush-money payments in bombshell opening statement: 'Lying to the First Lady is one of my biggest regrets'
In a world of lies, deception, and fraud, we appreciate this honest guy @MichaelCohen212 #tgif #handsome #sexy pic.twitter.com/9cXogBVIkF
- Women For Cohen (@WomenForCohen) June 3, 2016
Rep. Jim Jordan asks Cohen about the "Women for Cohen" Twitter account.
Jordan: Was it done to protect the president?
Cohen: That was not done to protect the president. https://t.co/4McXejykRV pic.twitter.com/Li38V5WkkV
- CBS News (@CBSNews) February 27, 2019
Never too late for #mcm & a #selfie pic.twitter.com/1ZFNNwNeCJ
- Women For Cohen (@WomenForCohen) November 22, 2016
#TGIF and thank god this #stud is working hard for @realDonaldTrump to win #POTUS pic.twitter.com/3lCHYeDBGM
- Women For Cohen (@WomenForCohen) July 1, 2016
@MichaelCohen212 always looking sharp! #sexy #sharp #dresstoimpress #sexsymbol pic.twitter.com/YspYQocdqi
- Women For Cohen (@WomenForCohen) June 10, 2016
Ready to see our #pitbull rock his appearance! #cantwait #RNCinCLE #TrumpPence16 https://t.co/bXv7StJVTm
- Women For Cohen (@WomenForCohen) July 20, 2016