CNN
By Kevin Liptak, Kit Maher, CNN
(CNN) – At one point, Michael Cohen was Donald Trump’s personal attorney and referred to himself as a “pit bull.”
Then he turned into a fierce opponent, revealing what he called “dirty deeds” and earning the title of “rat” from a president who felt betrayed.
Now, after making amends, Cohen has taken on a new role: that of a radio host looking for public reconciliation.
“They weaponized you, they weaponized a lot of people,” Trump told Cohen during a recorded phone conversation for Cohen’s show on WABC on Thursday. “I respect the fact you recanted everything you said.”
That was about as close as they got to addressing their well-known fallout in the part of the interview that aired Thursday. The remainder focused on the US conflict with Iran and Trump’s performance in office.
Still, it marked their first candid exchange since their professional and personal ties unraveled over eight years ago. Cohen informed CNN that the full interview-which will air in entirety on Sunday-lasted 40 minutes.
“How is it possible after all that happened, all of the insults, the years of public battles, the verbal attacks we launched at each other? How can we ever sit down together again?” Cohen asked CNN’s Jake Tapper on “The Lead” on Thursday before his interview aired.
“The answer is that we forgave,” he explained. “But remember this: Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting. It takes courage to stop letting yesterday dictate tomorrow.”
When asked how his relationship with Trump stands now, Cohen described it as “being resuscitated,” later mentioning that while he hasn’t directly asked Trump for a pardon, he has put in an application to the administration and plans to follow up on Friday.
On August 21, 2018, Cohen admitted guilt in Manhattan federal court to eight criminal charges-and implicated Trump-in a scheme meant to silence women who alleged affairs with him during the 2016 election campaign.
This marked the start of their downfall. After serving time behind bars, Cohen would eventually become a key witness in Trump’s criminal trial in New York. In 2024, Trump was found guilty on 34 counts related to falsifying business records concerning hush money payments made to Stormy Daniels-a former adult film actress-to keep her quiet about an alleged affair with him. (Trump has denied any affair and received no jail time while appealing his conviction.)
Trump felt deeply hurt by this betrayal and spent years labeling Cohen-a man who once claimed he’d take a bullet for him-as a rat and liar.
Cohen didn’t hide his feelings either; he believed Trump and those around him had abandoned him when he needed support. He was ultimately the only one sentenced for prison time related to the hush money scandal. Following his release, he wrote two books titled “Disloyal” and “Revenge.”
When asked by CNN if Trump apologized to him, Cohen chose not to disclose details but stated he felt “comfortable” with what was said between them. When probed about forgiveness further, Cohen remarked that he doesn’t want his prison chapter to be “the defining moment” of his life.
Once Trump returned to office things began changing between them. Cohen asserted that New York prosecutors-including Attorney General Letitia James and District Attorney Alvin Bragg-had pressured him into testifying against Trump.
And so began their quiet reconciliation.
It all started when someone whom Cohen refers to as a “White House friend” sent an unexpected text carrying a message from the president-something he mentioned earlier this year during his radio program.
Cohen didn’t disclose who this insider is but shared that they conveyed Trump’s genuine concern for what he had been going through: “I really appreciated receiving that message.”
“I thanked him for reaching out and expressed my hope that this long-standing feud could finally come to an end; I found it even more interesting how quickly they replied saying it was indeed time for us both to meet,” noted Cohen while adding how surprised he was by such outreach.
Over the past year both men have reportedly met privately at Trump’s golf course located in Bedminster, New Jersey according to someone familiar with these meetings.
Their recent radio conversation-which took place Thursday morning at The White House-marks another significant step toward mending their relationship.
As for Friday’s follow-up regarding his pardon application? According To CNN, Cohen mentioned he’s updated it since submitting under Biden’s administration previously.
“So far I haven’t received acknowledgment confirming they have my application which is high priority ; I’ll call tomorrow see what happened next. I’ve kept proof via Fed Ex receipt , ” added he’s definitely keen keeping track progress.This story has been updated with additional developments.The-CNN-Wire
™ & © 2026 Cable News Network , Inc., A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.CNN ’ s Kara Scannell contributed report.
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™ & © 2026 Cable News Network , Inc., A Warner Bros. Discovery Company. All rights reserved.CNN ’ s Kara Scannell contributed report.
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