Donald Trump and Michael Cohen Reunite in Radio Interview
6 sources across 2 countries · United States · United Kingdom
Who reported this
- MS NOW
- CNN
- Associated Press
- Wall Street Journal
- The Guardian
- Reuters
What the colours mean
- Left
- Centre-left
- Centre
- Centre-right
- Right
- A hatched block means the outlet is affiliated with, or controlled by, a state.
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President Donald Trump and his former personal attorney Michael Cohen held a cordial phone interview on Cohen's 77 WABC radio show, marking their first conversation in more than eight years. The two men, who previously engaged in a bitter public feud and legal battles, discussed their shared experiences with the justice department and revisited Cohen's role as a defender of Trump during the 2016 campaign. During the interview, Trump stated that he respected Cohen for recanting everything he had said, a claim that Cohen's attorney, Lanny Davis, later disputed by stating Cohen did not recant testimony given under oath.
The conversation covered several political topics, including the economy, immigration, and the war in Iran. Trump described the U.S. economy as undergoing a renaissance and defended his handling of the southern border. Cohen expressed nostalgia for his time working for Trump, referring to him as boss and sir. In separate statements, Cohen noted that forgiveness does not require amnesia and confirmed that he has submitted a pardon application to the White House.
Outlets with different political leanings framed the reunion in contrasting ways. Center-left sources described the interview as sycophantic and fawning, suggesting Cohen's motivations were linked to his pardon application. Center-right sources highlighted the irony of the reconciliation given Cohen's previous warnings that Trump was unfit for office. Center sources focused on the detente between the former allies during a period of low approval ratings for the president.
How each side framed it
- Centre-left
- Framed the event as an act of sycophancy and questioned the motivations behind the reconciliation.
- Centre
- Focused on the factual occurrence of the detente and the timing relative to the president's political standing.
- Centre-right
- Emphasized the irony of the reunion given the history of mutual hostility.
Sources
- Centre Associated Press: Trump appears on former fixer-turned-enemy Michael Cohen’s radio show after detente - AP News
- Centre-left CNN: Questions grow over why Trump & Cohen reunite after massive rift
- Centre-left CNN: Michael Cohen says no modern dispute has been more public than his feud with Trump
- Centre-left CNN: Michael Cohen on repairing his relationship with Trump: ‘Forgiveness does not require amnesia’
- Centre-left CNN: Michael Cohen on burying the hatchet with President Trump
- Centre-left CNN: Michael Cohen says he’s submitted pardon application to Trump WH
- Centre-left CNN: Maggie Haberman: People in Trump’s world are ‘not happy’ the President is reuniting with Michael Cohen
- Left MS NOW: Michael Cohen recalls fierce defense of Trump during reunion interview
- Centre Reuters: Trump, former fixer Michael Cohen have warm interview at political low point for president - Reuters
- Centre-left The Guardian: Sycophancy in stereo as former Trump hater Michael Cohen loses his nerve
- Centre-right Wall Street Journal: Trump Speaks On Air With Michael Cohen, His Fixer-Turned-Enemy
100% of the statements in this article were traced back to the source articles listed above.