Trump and Cohen hold warm radio interview as Cohen seeks pardon
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U.S. President Donald Trump and his former lawyer Michael Cohen held a warm radio interview on Thursday, their first public reunion since Cohen's testimony contributed to Trump's 2024 conviction. Cohen, who is seeking a pardon, called Trump 'boss' and said the two had forgiven each other. Trump spoke by phone from the White House, telling Cohen he respected that Cohen recanted.
Key Facts
- Michael Cohen interviewed Donald Trump on his New York radio program on Thursday.
- Cohen, who is seeking a pardon, called Trump 'boss' and delivered a six-minute monologue on friendship and forgiveness.
- Cohen was sentenced in 2018 to three years in prison for a $130,000 hush payment to Stormy Daniels and other crimes.
- Trump was convicted in 2024 on 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal the Daniels payment.
- Cohen aired excerpts from a pre-recorded interview, with more to be broadcast on Sunday.
The Radio Reunion
Michael Cohen interviewed U.S. President Donald Trump on his New York radio program Thursday. Cohen, who is seeking a pardon, called Trump 'boss' and gave a six-minute monologue on friendship and forgiveness. Cohen asked how two men who spent years in public war could return, then said: 'We forgave.' Trump, speaking from the White House, greeted Cohen with 'Hello Michael. How are you, Michael?' and said he respected that Cohen recanted. Cohen ended the segment singing a line from Peaches & Herb's 1978 song 'Reunited.'
Legal Background
Cohen was sentenced in 2018 to three years in prison for a $130,000 hush payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels and other crimes, including tax fraud and lying to Congress. Trump was convicted in 2024 on 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal the Daniels payment, in part due to Cohen's testimony. Trump has denied the encounter with Daniels and is appealing the ruling. Trump was represented at trial by Todd Blanche, now the U.S. attorney general, who called Cohen the 'GLOAT' — the greatest liar of all time. After Trump's 2024 re-election, a federal appeals court ordered the Manhattan judge to review how the July 2024 Supreme Court immunity decision affected the New York case.
Interview Content
The pre-recorded interview focused on Trump's favorite themes, including his campaign against immigrants and his disdain for unfavorable polls. Cohen aired excerpts on Thursday, with more of the interview to be aired on Sunday. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the interview.
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Trump and Cohen hold warm radio interview as Cohen seeks pardon
