Trump says he’d consider pardoning Michael Cohen

President Trump said Friday he would consider pardoning attorney Michael Cohen, while complaining about how the legal system treated his former fixer.

Trump was asked about whether he would pardon Cohen, who was the star witness in the 2024 New York hush money trial, since he recanted everything he said.

“It was illegal what they did,” Trump said before boarding Air Force One to Dallas. “What they put him through was incredible.”

“What they did to Michael Cohen was a disgrace,” continued. “They forced him to say things that he didn’t want to say and that he didn’t believe. And I appreciate that at least he came out, although late, he came out and rectified the situation.”

Cohen has not recanted his testimony, though he and Trump have made peace. Cohen has also said he felt pressured by prosecutors to testify against the president.

On the pardon, Trump said, “If everything is checking out, it’s something I would consider.”

Last week, Trump wrote on social media that Cohen had “fully RECANTED his testimony.”

“He was ‘pressured’ and ‘coerced’ to say things that were not true,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “I would like to thank Michael for having the Wisdom and Courage to step forward and do the right thing!”

“His Act of Bravery is a Great Credit to the Justice System in New York City and State,” he continued. “I am sure it was not easy for him! Now we are asking that any remnant of those Politically Weaponized Cases against me be immediately terminated and dismissed.”

Cohen was Trump’s former personal attorney who turned into the star witness for the criminal hush money payment case against Trump in New York in 2024. He admitted in court to facilitating payments to porn actor Stormy Daniels to cover up an alleged affair before the 2016 presidential election.

Cohen has since worked to reconcile with Trump. He told John Catsimatidis and Rita Cosby on WABC’s “Cats & Cosby” radio show in July that he had gotten a text from the president about six months ago.

He had Trump on his radio show on WABC last month.

The president has suggested Cohen was “forced” to testify against him in the 2024 case. He told Cohen during the radio show that the government was “weaponized” against him.

“There were plenty of others too, and it’s a disgrace,” he said. “I think it’s so amazing that you came out, and you told the story, and people respect you for doing it.”

Cohen told CNN in August he sent a written pardon application to the White House but has not spoken directly to Trump about it.