Michael Cohen’s attorney on Wednesday was booed by a live studio audience on Megyn Kelly’s NBC program after asking viewers to fund his client’s GoFundMe page.
The moment on “Megyn Kelly Today” comes one day after Cohen, the president’s former attorney, pleaded guilty to charges of bank fraud, tax fraud and campaign finance law violations.
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“Could I just take one opportunity to remind everyone that Michael Cohen has suffered a tragic and difficult experience with his family?” Cohen attorney Lanny Davis said during a satellite interview with Kelly. “He’s without resources and we’ve set up a website called michaelcohentruth.com that we’re hoping that he will get some help from the American people so that he can continue to tell the truth.”
The comments drew jeers from the live audience, with Kelly taking a moment to note how much had been raised by the website so far.
“The audience, I don’t know if they are ready to donate, Lanny,” Kelly said after the comment drew jeers from the audience. “We did check before we went on air. It’s got $70,000 in it so far. Listen, we appreciate you coming on.”
Davis, who is also an opinion contributor for The Hill, shot back at the audience reaction before Kelly corrected that number as $20,000.
“I would say the reaction of your audience may be they are not as interested in getting the truth out about Donald Trump as many other people in the country,” Davis said. “Approximately 60 percent of the country would not have the reaction of your audience.”
“By the way, I overstated, it’s $20,000, it’s not $70,000,” Kelly said. “Hope springs eternal, I guess. Lanny, all the best to you.”
As of about midday Wednesday, Cohen had raised more than $40,000 on his GoFundMe page, titled “The Michael Cohen Truth Fund.” The goal is to raise $500,000.
“Michael decided to put his family and his country first,” reads the page. “Now Michael needs your financial help — to pay his legal fees.”
“The Michael Cohen Truth Fund is a transparent trust account, with all donations going to help Michael Cohen and his family as he goes forward on his journey to tell the truth about Donald Trump,” it adds.
Cohen is not the first notable figure to start a GoFundMe to help with legal costs and income loss.
A GoFundMe page was created to benefit former FBI agent Peter Strzok on Aug. 13 after Strzok was fired from the bureau over anti-Trump texts. It has raised more than $442,000 with a goal of $500,000.