20 years ago when Michael Cohen, whose name I wouldn't learn until years later, approached me at the end of Trump's lecture and said I should show him more respect because he was going to be President one day, I had three rapid fire thoughts shoot through me. 1/19

The first was to charge across the room and kill the man I had just witnessed tell a room full of millionaires 'How to get away with a pyramid/Ponzi scheme'. The second was to kill myself, because I wouldn't want to live in a nation that was stupid enough to elect him. 2/19

The third was the logical conclusion to the second, that America wasn't that stupid and there was no need for a harsh reaction.
Cohen was still talking to a group of us while I processed this information, and then the noise of complaints began to fill the ballroom. 3/19

Suddenly Cohen calls over a woman he claims to be his mother (perhaps she was, I don't know) and asked her how she liked meeting Trump. She said it was great, but she's hearing other women complain about him grabbing their butts and she's jealous because he didn't grab hers. 4/19

Cohen walks his mom back through the line, speaks to Trump, and Trump gets on a mic. He tells the story of her complaint, says he wasn't aware he was doing it but...then poses with her and theatrically places both hands on her rear. In reaction, she grabbed his. 5/19

This seemed to turn the murmurs of complaint into aww how cutes, and it was seemingly forgotten. Well, almost forgotten, our CFO had a bruise from her ass to halfway down her thigh for 6 weeks he grabbed her so hard. 6/19

Trump wasn't scheduled to speak at that event. It was the last day of a 3 day Aflac convention, and because it was at his property he invited himself to it. Shortly after the meet and greet died down, it was time to start the actual business of the night, the afterparty. 7/19

I made sure everything was running smoothly, then set to the task of preparing for the teardown as much as I could without disturbing the party. Some time had passed when a voice beside me said, "I can't believe he's drinking a beer." 8/19

I looked up to once again see Michael Cohen, and then followed his gaze across the room. There stood Donald Trump looking out the window, quite alone. I asked why that mattered, and Cohen told me he was a teetotaler.
I will regret what followed for the rest of my life.
9/19

When I approached him, it was out of genuine concern. Trump said he was fine, he was having the beer in memory of his brother, who had died on that date.
It set me on the defensive, because a teetotaler drinking in memory of a loved one they lost to alcohol is nonsensical. 10/ 19

I swiftly directed the conversation toward the rumors of his future Presidency. My sole intent was to convince him that he should forget it for his own good. I started with telling him about the FBI agents who were outside the ballroom when I took a break during his speech. 11/19

I then proceeded to explain to him that, just because it takes the authorities 3 rounds to recognize a pyramid scheme for what it is doesn't mean that it's legal to just perform one for two rounds. We argued back and forth on that for a few minutes. 12/ 19

Someone approached to make sure everything was okay, Trump said yes, then asked for another beer. We discussed party affiliation, and why he'd never win as a Democrat, how to manipulate Republicans with churches and the media, and changing public image. 13/19

It turned back to legal hurdles. If the FBI was on to him then he was going to have to cover some things up and create an alternate narrative to the truth, that he was a con artist. That caused a slight distraction as he discussed his admiration for Charles Ponzi. 14/19

We talked about disinformation, and creating false flags to be investigated and clear him in the public eye. We talked about enlisting foreign help, both Russia and China were mentioned. We talked about a great many crimes he'd have to commit to pull it off. 15/19

Then we talked about the crimes he'd have to commit to keep it, and the fact that he would be prosecuted if he ever left office. Then we talked about how to avoid leaving office. Convincing supporters to join his private militia, the churches and gun nuts on his side. 16/19

We discussed a great many things, and at some point I looked up and over at him, and he was taking notes.
As I said, my intent was deter him, so I instantly became angry. I must've gotten loud, because before I could lunge at his throat there were 3 guys between us. 17/19

At the same time, Trump tried to stand and nearly fell. Only half his 2nd beer was gone, so I do actually believe he doesn't drink very often. A couple of the guys stood in front of me as the 3rd began helping Trump. He was joined by Cohen, and they left. 18/19

At that moment I realized that Cohen wasn't there as a guest but was grifting the crowd for @realDonaldTrump.
I know what he did to get here and I know what he'll do to stay. 19/19