One America News Network recently retracted a baseless story about Michael Cohen, claiming he had an affair with Stormy Daniels and was involved in an extortion scheme against Donald Trump. The story was based on an unverified social media post that alleged attorney Michael Avenatti had made the claim. Avenatti denied ever making such allegations and called the story nonsense. Both Cohen and Daniels are central figures in Trump’s hush money trial, which revolves around allegations that Trump falsified business records to cover up payments related to the affair just before the 2016 election.
The post that OAN cited was written by self-proclaimed investor and whistleblower Tony Seruga, who claimed that Avenatti had told him about the alleged affair between Daniels and Cohen. The post also alleged that Cohen had cooked up the extortion scheme to use against the Trump Organization. OAN writer Brooke Mallory embedded the post in her article, but it is unclear what steps were taken to verify the claims. Avenatti denied making any comments about the alleged affair and called the story fabricated and untrue.
OAN issued a retraction and apology to Michael Cohen, stating that the story was false and that there was no evidence to suggest that Cohen and Daniels had an affair or that Cohen was involved in an extortion scheme. Cohen expressed relief that the story was retracted, calling the idea that he would extort Trump right before the election absurd and stupid. Avenatti’s statement on the settlement with OAN was reportedly taken through a paralegal, and he claimed that the story was a ridiculous attempt to escape being a nobody. Avenatti is currently serving a 19-year sentence at a federal prison for stealing money from clients and tax evasion.
The retracted story highlights the dangers of spreading unverified information and the potential harm it can cause to individuals involved. The case also underscores the ongoing legal battles surrounding Trump’s hush money trial and the key role played by Cohen and Daniels. The involvement of Avenatti, who has a controversial history of legal and personal troubles, adds another layer of complexity to the situation. Despite the retraction and apology from OAN, the fallout from the baseless story is likely to have lasting implications for those involved.
The retraction serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of fact-checking and journalistic integrity, particularly in today’s environment of rapid information dissemination and social media. The incident also raises questions about the credibility and reliability of certain news outlets, especially those that are known for promoting far-right ideologies. Moving forward, it will be crucial for media organizations to uphold ethical standards and adhere to principles of accuracy and truthfulness in their reporting.
Overall, the retraction of the story involving Cohen, Daniels, and Avenatti underscores the need for responsible journalism and the potential consequences of spreading false information. As the legal battles surrounding Trump’s hush money trial continue, it is essential for media outlets to do their due diligence in verifying information before publishing it. The case also highlights the ongoing challenges in navigating the intersection of politics, media, and personal reputations in today’s fast-paced and contentious news landscape.
