Full Breakdown
Trump and Michael Cohen’s Radio Reunion Marks Unprecedented Reconciliation
8/22/2026, 5:52:24 AM
Core Event: Former President Appears on Cohen’s WABC Show
On August 20 2026, President Donald J. Trump participated in a taped phone interview for former personal attorney Michael Cohen’s WABC program “When You Know… You Know.” The 40-minute conversation, aired in two parts, was the first public dialogue between the two men in eight years. The interview was largely cordial, with both referencing their shared past while avoiding detailed discussion of prior legal battles.
Background & Context
Cohen served as Trump’s “fixer” for more than a decade. On August 21 2018, a Manhattan federal court accepted his guilty plea to eight criminal counts, including campaign-finance violations and tax evasion tied to a $130,000 hush-money payment to Stormy Daniels. After serving three years, Cohen became the star witness in the 2024 New York trial that resulted in Trump’s conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.
In early 2025, Cohen said he felt “pressured” by New York Attorney General Letitia James and Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg to testify. Later that year, a text from the president expressing empathy prompted private meetings at Bedminster and Mar-a-Lago, setting the stage for the August 2026 interview.
Timeline
- August 21 2018 – Cohen pleads guilty to eight counts.
- 2024 – Cohen testifies; Trump convicted on 34 counts.
- Summer 2025 – Private meetings at Bedminster and Mar-a-Lago.
- August 20 2026 – Interview airs on Cohen’s show.
Data & Statistics
- 34 felony counts led to Trump’s conviction.
- 8 criminal counts in Cohen’s 2018 plea.
- Cohen served 3 years in federal prison, released November 2021.
- The Thursday broadcast segment lasted about 40 minutes.
Official Statements & Responses
Trump reiterated familiar campaign themes, claiming the economy is “roaring,” the United States “has never been stronger,” and that he would “win by 25 points” if he ran again. Cohen framed the conversation as an act of forgiveness, noting that “the good times don’t cease to have existed because the bad times came afterward.” No official comment was issued by the White House.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Cohen says he submitted a pardon application to the Trump administration, but the Justice Department has not confirmed receipt. Earlier reports indicate a pardon request to the Biden administration was denied, and Cohen “does not know” whether the current request will be granted. The lack of confirmation leaves the clemency status pending.
Verbatim Quotes
- “But 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, that’s a big thing that you did, that’s a very big thing.” — Donald J. Trump
- “The good times don't cease to have existed because the bad times came afterward,” — Michael Cohen
What’s Next
Cohen said he will follow up with the Justice Department on his pardon request, and his attorneys plan to cite the interview in ongoing appeals of Trump’s conviction and related civil judgments. The full interview will be released on Sunday, giving analysts additional material to assess the durability of the public reconciliation.
