Cohen threatened The Onion in 2013 over satirical Trump article

President Trump’s personal lawyer sent a cease-and-desist letter in 2013 to the satirical news organization The Onion over a fake article about how the then-business mogul would likely die soon.

In a piece published Monday, The Onion revealed the contents of a letter sent to them by Trump lawyer Michael Cohen.

{mosads}Cohen, according to the organization, sent an email following the publication of a fake commentary piece titled “When You’re Feeling Low, Just Remember I’ll Be Dead In About 15 Or 20 Years,” satirically written by Trump.

Cohen’s letter demanded that The Onion remove the piece and issue an apology to Trump.

“The article is an absolutely disgusting piece that lacks any place in journalism; even in your Onion,” Cohen wrote in January 2013.

Cohen says the “commentary goes way beyond defamation and, if not immediately removed, I will take all actions necessary to ensure your actions do not go without consequence.”

“Guide yourself accordingly,” he warns, not acknowledging that the site is a satirical publication.

While the article that accompanied the release of the Cohen email has The Onion’s “signature satirical voice,” the email is authentic, according to David Ford, communications coordinator for online publication.

“I can confirm the email itself is the real deal,” Ford tweeted on Monday. “From Michael Cohen to our press email address in 2013.”

I can confirm the email itself is the real deal. From Michael Cohen to our press email address in 2013.

The rest of the story is obviously in @TheOnion‘s signature satirical voice… https://t.co/bix0OLB5nP

— David Ford (@ItsDavidFord) May 21, 2018

However, Cohen suggested in a tweet on Monday that the email was also satirical. 

“Maybe all of you #haters #trolls missed the memo by @TheOnion is a news ‘SATIRE’ Organization. That means … it’s not real! #GetALife,” Cohen tweeted.

Maybe all of you #haters #trolls missed the memo but @TheOnion is a news “SATIRE” Organization. That means…it’s not real! #GetALife https://t.co/zHEr3E9LF7

— Michael Cohen (@MichaelCohen212) May 21, 2018

“In the spirit of transparency,” The Onion released Cohen’s letter in full, which is dated Jan. 24, 2013, and has his Trump Organization email signature. 

In the spirit of transparency, here is Mr. Cohen’s letter, printed in full: https://t.co/uPnzZYUtyZ pic.twitter.com/HWAhxudr2d

— The Onion (@TheOnion) May 21, 2018

The Onion joked that after five years they had finally gotten around to reading the email and would happily delete the article “in exchange for influence over the president’s decision-making.”

“We implore Mr. Cohen to meet with us without delay,” the site wrote. “We are happy to schedule around his upcoming court appearances.”

Cohen has recently been at the center of a number of controversies, including offering “insights” on the Trump administration to a number of clients in exchange for payment.