Michael Cohen Helped Convict Trump. Now, He’s Making Nice Again.
NYT > U.S. > Politics — 2026-07-12 20:17:00 — www.nytimes.com
Trump Seeks to Recast Relationship with Michael Cohen Amid Legal Turmoil
Last summer, President Trump took the unusual step of meeting privately with his former personal lawyer and fixer, Michael D. Cohen, at his Bedminster, N.J. golf club. This marked the end of a yearslong estrangement defined by legal battles and public insults. According to sources familiar with the meeting, the conversation opened the door for Cohen to re-enter Trump’s orbit and initiated a broader effort to make peace.
Trump’s Changing Posture Toward Cohen
After years of calling Cohen a “rat” and a “liar,” and even suing him (a suit Trump dropped just before he was set to be deposed), Trump has notably stopped publicly attacking Cohen since returning to office. Instead, Trump has reportedly expressed sympathy for Cohen’s time in prison to aides and confidants. This shift comes as Cohen, who once helped prosecutors secure Trump’s conviction for falsifying business records, has begun to publicly criticize those same prosecutors and soften his tone toward Trump.
Trump’s lawyers have already cited Cohen’s recent remarks in court filings, using them to challenge the legal cases against the president. This is part of Trump’s broader effort to recast the narrative of his legal and political troubles, including the Russia investigation and his 2020 election loss.
Cohen’s Role and Trump’s Legal Strategy
Cohen, who played a central role in the hush-money payment to Stormy Daniels during the 2016 campaign, previously testified that Trump directed him to make the payment. Cohen was the only person to serve prison time for the deal. After his release, Cohen became a vocal critic of Trump, publishing books and hosting a podcast that detailed his experiences.
Now, with the apparent blessing of the White House, Cohen has launched a radio show on a Trump-friendly station in New York. He has defended the new détente with Trump and suggested that the president may even appear as a guest on his show in the coming weeks.
Potential Risks in the Trump-Cohen Reconciliation
Despite the thaw, there are risks for Trump. Cohen has made clear he does not agree with the president on everything and may not always stick to Trump’s talking points. The reconciliation is fragile, and Cohen’s shifting public stance could complicate Trump’s legal strategy, especially as Cohen continues to discuss his role as a witness in Trump’s criminal trial.
Conclusion
President Trump’s evolving relationship with Michael Cohen highlights his ongoing efforts to reshape the narrative around his legal challenges. By leveraging Cohen’s recent criticisms of prosecutors and ending public attacks on his former fixer, Trump is attempting to turn a onetime adversary into a potential asset. However, the unpredictable nature of their relationship means that this new alliance could bring both strategic advantages and unforeseen complications as Trump continues to battle multiple legal fronts.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/12/us/politics/trump-cohen-meeting-show.html