Trump praises former foe Michael Cohen, says he was ‘weaponized’ as their bond is ‘resuscitated’

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump on Thursday, August 20, appeared on the radio show of his former personal attorney Michael Cohen, marking a public reunion between the two after years of bitter fallout.

Trump praised Cohen during the interview and suggested his former lawyer had been pressured into testifying against him in the 2024 New York hush-money trial. The full interview is scheduled to air on Sunday, August 23, on Cohen’s 77 WABC program.

Trump says Michael Cohen was ‘weaponized’ against him

In the first released part of the interview, Trump told Cohen that government officials had targeted him and others. “They weaponized government against you and against others, Michael,” Trump said. “There were plenty of others too, and it’s a disgrace.”

Trump also praised Cohen for coming forward and said he believed the former lawyer was respected for doing so. “I think it’s so amazing that you came out, and you told the story, and people respect you for doing it,” Trump said.

The comments marked a significant shift in the relationship between Trump and Cohen, who was once among the president’s closest aides and attorneys before becoming a central witness against him.

Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to eight criminal counts involving campaign finance violations and other offenses. He later testified during Trump’s 2024 New York criminal hush-money trial, which ended with Trump being convicted on 34 counts of falsifying business records related to payments to adult film actor Stormy Daniels.

Cohen has since said he felt pressured by prosecutors to provide testimony against Trump. In a January Substack post, he wrote, “I felt pressured and coerced to only provide information and testimony that would satisfy the government’s desire to build the cases against and secure a judgment and convictions against President Trump.”

Michael Cohen says relationship with Trump has been ‘resuscitated’

The appearance followed a series of conversations between Trump and Cohen over the past year and Cohen’s public comments about moving beyond their feud.

Speaking to CNN ahead of the radio interview, Cohen described the relationship as being “resuscitated” and said he believes there is forgiveness between them. “I truly believe that there is forgiveness between Donald Trump and myself, and that to me is what is important right now,” Cohen said.

Cohen also discussed the history between the two in a post promoting the interview, saying their relationship had included years of friendship before their falling-out. “Forgiveness does not mean amnesia. It does not mean that the past did not happen,” Cohen said. “It is about having the courage to decide that yesterday will no longer dictate tomorrow.”

At one point during the interview, Cohen nostalgically addressed Trump as his former boss, saying, “Boss, remember when I was by your side.” Cohen also confirmed that he has submitted a pardon application during Trump’s second term, after a previous application was denied by the prior administration.