WASHINGTON — Michael Cohen, once known as President Trump’s hard-charging personal “fixer,” struck a notably friendly tone toward his former boss on Thursday as he pursued a presidential pardon for tax evasion and other offenses — a remarkable turn after Cohen’s testimony helped prosecutors secure Trump’s 34-count felony conviction in 2024.
“Boss, you remember when I was by your side? I literally used to analyze the polls,” Cohen, 59, said during a 15-minute segment of his interview with Trump that aired Thursday night on his WABC-77 radio show.
Cohen also floated the idea of showcasing Trump’s record publicly, telling him, “Maybe what we should do is then have a press conference and literally put out all of the accomplishments.” The warm approach marked a sharp contrast from the years Cohen spent denouncing Trump as a “racist,” a “predator” and a “fraud” after pleading guilty in 2018 and tying Trump to alleged wrongdoing.
Cohen served time in prison after admitting he hid $4 million in income from the IRS and misled a bank to obtain a $500,000 loan. He also pleaded guilty to a campaign finance violation connected to $280,000 in hush money payments made to two women during the 2016 presidential race.
The former Trump attorney later became a key witness for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg in the high-profile hush money case against Trump.
In more recent months, Cohen has appeared to move back toward Trump’s orbit, echoing the president’s argument that he was targeted in a Democratic “witch hunt.”
Earlier this year, Cohen said he had felt “pressured and coerced” by Bragg and New York Democratic Attorney General Letitia James to turn against Trump.
During the interview, Trump acknowledged Cohen’s reversal, telling him, “I respect the fact that you recanted everything you said, and that’s a big thing that you did.”
Cohen is actively seeking a presidential pardon.
He told CNN host Jake Tapper in a promotional interview that he plans to call the Justice Department Friday to ensure it is processing his application.
“I have not received an acknowledgement that they have the application, which is on my to-do list, which I intend to call tomorrow to find out what happened because I did send it by FedEx, so I do have a receipt,” Cohen said.
