Trump's Art of the Deal Technique explained: create a situation where the alternative looks horrifying.
Rather like blackmail.
We see it with his pump-for-deals technique - he attacks an industry, and then his minions/cronies work the industry to smooth things over, at a price tag of millions. He's done it with China, Pharma, Qatar (they didn't budge), et al.

He's not looking for a compromise, nor a deal - he wants a payoff. Everything else is expendable. Cohen is just one of whole band of Trump franchisers trying to cash in these fear-mongered connections.

His Trump Tower properties around the world are ATM bank points - places where you can place a bet.

Russians needed a safer place to park their money - Donald stoked those fears and promised no questions asked, while taking a huge cut. Cohen's biggest mistake was pretending he could do something for his cut of the money - Trump promised nothing, just a name.

Fear & confusion are Trump's biggest allies. When you win through confusion, you're confident in confusion - and there's usually no harm in contradicting yourself in a chaotic situation - you just go out and contradict yourself again.

The reason Avenatti's having luck bringing Trump down is he's not even talking to him - he's just presenting facts & documentation, something the press has given up on. Even a "Trump interview" is just Fox or NY Times listening as Trump gabs on nd on. Avenatti's not playing on Trump's court - Trump is mute in that environment. And now even Hannity's afraid to talk to Avennati. Fox News & social media have been built on the gift of gab, talking with no substance, no facts. Avennati is carefully honing the opposite approach - the documents speak louder than mere words.

Oddly enough, Avenatti is becoming what Wikileaks was supposed to be.