Donald Trump joins Michael Cohen for first public conversation in eight years on WABC radio
President Donald Trump called into former personal lawyer Michael Cohen's radio show on New York station 77 WABC, marking their first public dialogue since 2018 as Cohen pursues a presidential pardon.
On-air reconciliation
Donald Trump phoned into Michael Cohen's radio show, "When You Know You Know," on New York network 77 WABC on Thursday morning, holding their first public conversation in eight years. The broadcast opened with the song "Why Can't We Be Friends?" before Cohen introduced his former client and longtime employer. Throughout the 15-minute exchange, Cohen addressed Trump as "sir" six times, "Mr. President" four times, and "boss" once. Cohen stated that the segment recorded on Thursday would air in two parts, with excerpts broadcast on Friday evening and the remainder on Sunday. Cohen noted that the two men had spoken privately three times over the preceding year, describing their on-air exchange as familiar and reminiscent of earlier meetings where he sat in the far-right red velvet chair across from Trump's desk.
The pardon application and changing stance
The public conversation coincided with Cohen's efforts to secure clemency from the administration. Speaking to CNN before the broadcast aired, Cohen confirmed that he submitted a formal application for a presidential pardon to Trump. That petition followed an earlier request for clemency that was rejected during the administration of Joe Biden. Cohen stated that he had not yet received confirmation of receipt from the Trump administration, and he declined to disclose whether their recent conversations included an apology. When addressing his shift in posture, Cohen remarked that he was at peace with the discussion.
Forgiveness does not require amnesia. It requires the courage to stop allowing the past to dictate the future.
Legal clashes and 2024 testimony
The exchange follows years of intense legal confrontation. Cohen previously worked as Trump's personal lawyer and self-described fixer, arranging a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels and handling payments connected to Karen McDougal. In 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations, tax evasion, bank fraud, and lying to Congress, resulting in a three-year prison sentence, more than a year in prison, and disbarment in New York. After testifying against Trump in Congress in 2019, Cohen served as the key prosecution witness in the 2024 New York criminal trial where Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Cohen stated publicly in January 2025 that he felt pressured and coerced by prosecutors, prompting Trump to praise him during Thursday's broadcast.
They weaponized you, they weaponized a lot of people, and I respect the fact that you recanted everything you said. And that's a big thing that you did. It's a very big thing.
- Cohen is sentenced to three years in prison on federal campaign finance and fraud charges.
- Cohen testifies before Congress and publicly characterizes Trump as a conman.
- Cohen serves as the primary prosecution witness at Trump's New York criminal trial.
- Trump calls into Cohen's 77 WABC radio show for their first public conversation in eight years.
Discussion of foreign policy and midterm politics
Trump used the appearance on Cohen's program to repeat his positions on foreign affairs and domestic elections. The president stated that US operations had wiped out Iranian leadership and military assets, adding that the United States would soon establish full control over the Strait of Hormuz. Regarding Middle Eastern diplomacy, Trump asserted that Israel would not exist without his actions. He also projected that the Democratic Party would lose heavily in upcoming midterm elections, repeating criticisms of the radical left. Cohen allowed Trump to speak without interruption across these topics before concluding the broadcast segment.
