The so-called self-proclaimed ‘fixer’ of Trump, Cohen fell for Stormy Daniels’ script and powerful narration, which made her story come alive by creating vivid and believable incidents. That involved detailed descriptions and realistic dialogue between her and Trump. The more relatable and tangible these incidents were, the more Cohen got immersed in them and fell for them hook, line, and sinker? Forgot to see the significant loophole in it? That evidence shows Trump never had an affair or sex with her!
He decided to take matters into his own hands even when Trump denied the sexual encounter. And did Trump refuse to pay? So Cohen borrows the money, creates an NDA, pays Stormy Daniels $130,000, makes her sign and personally signs the NDA himself.
Cohen does all of this right before the election. Not to safeguard Trump’s reputation, but to solidify his own position with Trump and his group.
Did he see an opportunity and an opening for himself? To further his career with this long term strategy?
He would place himself as the averter of a significant “biblical-level sex scandal” of the century. Impress Trump and his group? And expect Trump to be forever in his debt?
Possibly even control him? Was that his plan?
Transactional Gratitude:
Introduction
Transactional gratitude is a concept often discussed in the context of social interactions and relationships. It refers to a form of gratitude tied to the giving and receiving of favors, where the expression of thanks is seen as a form of repayment for a service or kindness received. People often contrast this form of gratitude with a more genuine or heartfelt sense of thankfulness. They see the latter as a proactive acknowledgment of the good in others and our lives.
Understanding Transactional Gratitude
Transactional gratitude arises from a sense of obligation to repay what goes beyond pro-social norms and is intrinsically emotionally driven. It is often associated with a system of give-and-take, where the expression of gratitude is a form of currency in social exchanges. For example, if someone does you a favor, you might feel a sense of indebtedness and express your gratitude as a way of acknowledging the debt.
However, transactional gratitude is about more than just repaying debts. It’s also about building and maintaining social relationships. When we express gratitude for a favor received, we are repaying a debt and signaling our willingness to participate in future exchanges and maintain a positive relationship with the person who did us a favor.
The Role of Transactional Gratitude in Society
Transactional gratitude plays a crucial role in many social and cultural contexts. “Ensuring the reciprocation of favors and kindnesses helps maintain social order. It also strengthens social bonds by fostering a sense of mutual obligation and respect.”
Some cultures deeply ingrain transactional gratitude in their social norms and expectations. For example, in many Eastern cultures, “saving face” is closely tied to transactional gratitude. If someone does you a favor, it is considered socially unacceptable not to express your appreciation and repay the favor somehow.
The Neuroscience of Transactional Gratitude
From a neuroscience perspective, transactional gratitude can significantly impact our brain and overall well-being. By displacing our attention from problems to solutions, gratitude practices hit the serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin – neurotransmitters that make us feel good. With the surge of these chemicals in the brain, the apathy gets curbed away, and we revive the motivation that depression had sucked away. source the neuroscience of gratitude.
Transactional Gratitude as a Tool for Control
In some cases, transactional gratitude can be used as a tool for control. When someone grants a favor, it may make the recipient feel indebted. The benefactor can then leverage this sense of indebtedness to influence the recipient’s actions.
For example, in a business setting, a manager might do a favor for an employee. Feeling grateful and indebted, the employee might feel obligated to work harder, take on additional tasks, or support the manager in future endeavors.
In more manipulative situations, the benefactor might use the recipient’s sense of indebtedness to exert control or influence over them. This could involve asking for favors in return that the recipient is uncomfortable with or using the debt as a form of leverage to manipulate the recipient’s actions.
The Dark Side of Transactional Gratitude
While transactional gratitude can foster positive social connections and mutual support, it can also have a dark side. When used manipulatively, it can lead to unhealthy power dynamics and relationships characterized by control and coercion.
In such situations, the recipient of the favor may feel trapped in a cycle of indebtedness, constantly trying to repay the favor but never feeling like they’ve done enough. This can lead to feelings of guilt, stress, and anxiety.
Moreover, the benefactor may use the recipient’s sense of indebtedness to justify unreasonable demands or to exert control in other areas of the recipient’s life. This can lead to a toxic dynamic where the recipient feels obligated to comply with the benefactor’s wishes out of gratitude.
Cohen might have thought that as he was the avert-er of a biblical scale sex scandal, Trump should be in his debt forever. He may have expected to have a prominent place in the White House without realizing he was a fool to fall for a flawed porn script and use it for personal gain? Trump was angry and did not invite him to join him in the White House. Disappointed, Cohen used his power by association to approach various companies through the shell company he had created to pay Daniels and hide the payment from his wife?
Essential Consultants LLC
Essential Consultants LLC is a Delaware shell company created by Cohen in October 2016 to facilitate payment of hush money to Stormy Daniels.[61] For many months thereafter, Cohen used the LLC[128] for an array of business activities largely unknown to the public, with at least $4.4 million moving through the LLC between Trump’s election to the presidency and January 2018 ………’Novartis, a Switzerland–based pharmaceutical giant paid the LLC nearly $1.2 million in separate payments.[138] Novartis released a statement May 9, 2018, that it hired the LLC to help the company understand the “health care policy” of the new administration, but it actually did not receive benefit for its investment. The statement continued that Novartis made a decision to not engage Essential Consultants further, but it could not terminate the contract for “cause”, raising concerns on why the company did not pursue reimbursement.
Wikipedia
The clients were not happy with the service they received?
Conclusion
While transactional gratitude may appear straightforward, it is in fact a nuanced and intricate phenomenon that significantly influences our social interactions and relationships. Whether it’s reciprocating a favor, maintaining social equilibrium, or simply expressing our appreciation for kindness, transactional gratitude wields a potent influence in fostering positive social connections and enhancing personal well-being. However, when people wield it as a tool for control, it can foster dynamics and relationships characterized by manipulation and coercion, which are unhealthy.
Was Cohen so disappointed that Trump did not invite him to join the White House, that he used his power by association to Trump to continue with his shell company? Telling people he was doing everything as per Trump’s instruction; after, he is Trump’s fixer, and because of him, Trump is in the White House? Because he averted the major biblical sex scandal of the century?
His clients may not have been happy with him because he had no influence over Trump! In the meantime, he was caught by another crooked lawyer, Avenatti, who now sits in a prison?
Did Cohen pay Stormy Daniels to further his career? Impress her? Was it perceived as a road to riches? Evidence indicates that Trump never approved of or was involved in it. And had no reason to pay.
Lawyers never pay on their client’s behalf to the extent of borrowing from the bank to pay. Later, Trump had to pay his bills as we all have to pay our bills, especially the lawyers’ bills.
Cohen’s anger towards Trump, stemming from the failure of his plans, led him to turn against his former ally. This shift in their relationship underscores the depth of their conflict and the personal stakes involved.
