Key facts
- President Donald Trump said he would consider a pardon for his former fixer Michael Cohen.
- Cohen's testimony was a key factor in Trump's 2024 conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records.
- Cohen previously served prison time for tax evasion, lying to Congress, and campaign finance violations.
- Cohen has recently recanted his previous statements and is seeking a presidential pardon.
- Trump and Cohen had a warm interview on Cohen's radio program, where Cohen referred to Trump as 'boss'.
President Donald Trump has indicated he would consider a presidential pardon for his former fixer, Michael Cohen, whose testimony was crucial in Trump's 2024 conviction on 34 counts of falsifying business records. Cohen, who served over a year in prison for crimes including tax evasion and lying to Congress, has recently stated he felt pressured and coerced into implicating Trump.
During a radio interview on Cohen's program, where he referred to Trump as 'boss,' Trump responded to a question about a potential pardon by saying, 'If everything is checking out, it's something I would consider.' He also expressed appreciation that Cohen had 'rectified the situation,' albeit late.
Cohen was originally sentenced in 2018 for a $130,000 hush payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election, as well as for personal tax evasion and lying under oath to Congress. Trump, who denies the encounter with Daniels (Stephanie Clifford), is appealing his conviction.
Cohen is actively pursuing a pardon and plans to contact the Justice Department to confirm his application is being processed. He previously worked for Trump for 15 years and had a public falling out after pleading guilty in 2018, but has recently aligned with Trump's claims of a 'witch hunt' against him.
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