Trump says Michael Cohen 'fully recanted' in brand new twist

President Trump's latest comments about Michael Cohen come after an unexpected change in tone between the former allies
Michael Cohen had said he did not want his fight with President Donald Trump to define his life (Getty Images)
Michael Cohen had said he did not want his fight with President Donald Trump to define his life (Getty Images)

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump is portraying his former lawyer Michael Cohen’s warmer tone toward him as a dramatic reversal, claiming his former fixer has “fully RECANTED” testimony used against him.

Cohen, however, said last month that “What was said is said, and that’s where I stand with it,” rejecting any suggestion he had withdrawn past statements.

The conflicting descriptions followed Trump’s appearance by phone on Cohen’s radio show, where the two spoke after years of public feuding.



Trump frames Michael Cohen's shift as recantation

In a Friday, September 4, Truth Social post, Trump described Cohen's apparent reversal as a dramatic and courageous decision.

Trump said Cohen was the prosecution’s “Star Witness” and “in actuality, only Witness” in cases brought against him by New York Attorney General Letitia James and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

Trump called for any remaining parts of those cases to be “immediately terminated and dismissed.”

Trump further wrote, “He was ‘pressured’ and ‘coerced’ to say things that were not true. I would like to thank Michael for having the Wisdom and Courage to step forward and do the right thing! His Act of Bravery is a Great Credit to the Justice System in New York City and State.”

President Donald Trump arrives at an event at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026. (AP Photo/John Locher)
President Donald Trump arrives at an event at the Red Rock Resort in Las Vegas, Wednesday, August 5, 2026. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Trump added, “I am sure it was not easy for him! Now we are asking that any remnant of those Politically Weaponized Cases against me be immediately terminated and dismissed.”

“Letitia James and Alvin Bragg broke the Law in order to do this in order to prevent me from becoming the President of the United States. Such a thing can never be allowed to happen again!” Trump wrote. 

Asked last month on CNN whether he was taking back anything he had said about Trump, Cohen replied, “What was said is said, and that’s where I stand with it.”

Cohen also said he did not want his fight with Trump to define his life. 

Michael Cohen speaks during a House Oversight Committee hearing in Washington in 2019 (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)
Michael Cohen speaks during a House Oversight Committee hearing in Washington in 2019 (Pablo Martinez Monsivais/AP)

On his radio show, he said, “The good memories don’t cease to exist simply because terrible ones followed them,” while adding that reconciliation does not mean “rewriting facts.”

The interview marked a change in tone after Cohen spent years cooperating with investigations involving his former boss. 

Michael Cohen and Trump revisit their feud

During last month's interview, Trump said Cohen had been “weaponized ... like nobody’s ever been weaponized.” 

Cohen quoted a Bible verse about forgiveness and played “Why Can’t We Be Friends?”

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters onboard Air Force One while returning to the White House, Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
President Donald Trump speaks to reporters onboard Air Force One while returning to the White House, Sunday, August 2, 2026 (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Trump also said, “I respect the fact that you recanted everything you said.”

Cohen had previously described his actions for Trump as stemming from “blind loyalty.”

Cohen pleaded guilty in 2018 to multiple crimes. He told CNN that he did not ask Trump for a pardon during their conversation.

New York allegations add another layer

Trump’s Friday post also came as a New York prosecutor accused James’ office of directing employees to “find and pursue crimes” involving Trump and entities tied to him, according to a Times Union report, published August 29.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 12: New York Attorney General Letitia James speaks during a press conference on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions on August 12, 2026 in New York City. Gov. Hochul and Mayor Mamdani were joined by Attorney General Letitia James as they made an announcement on the ICE overreach currently happening in NYC. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
New York Attorney General Letitia James speaks during a press conference on August 12, 2026, in New York City (Michael M Santiago/Getty Images)

Assistant Attorney General Daniel Wiesenfeld allegedly wrote that his supervisor directed him to target “Trump himself, Truth Social, Hewlett Packard (DOJ approved merger)” without a credible reason.

The email was reportedly later wiped from office servers, and Wiesenfeld was placed on paid administrative leave, according to the Times Union report.

The New York Attorney General’s Office rejected the broader allegation, saying, “This is a personnel matter,” and that it “strongly reject[s] any assertion” that it targeted people based on political beliefs.

White House spokesperson Lauren Bis called the episode “more proof of the weaponization of the justice system” against Trump and his political opponents. 

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