Trump Faces Ex-Fixer Cohen in Stunning Role Reversal
Trump and His Former Lawyer Michael Cohen Are Talking Again: What You Need to Know
What Just Happened?
Big News Alert: President Donald Trump sat down for an interview with Michael Cohen — his former personal lawyer and "fixer" — on Thursday. This is a huge surprise because these two men have been bitter enemies for years.
Here are the key facts you need to know:
- When: The interview was recorded on Thursday
- Where it airs:
- Thursday night on Cohen’s radio show
- Sunday on WABC radio (also released as a podcast)
- Who confirmed it: Michael Cohen himself announced the plans
- White House source: An unnamed official also verified the interview
Who Is Michael Cohen? (ELI5 Explanation)
Think of Michael Cohen like Trump’s former right-hand man. For over a decade, Cohen worked as:
- Personal attorney — Trump’s own lawyer
- "Fixer" — Someone who handles messy problems quietly (like making problems "disappear")
- Loyal defender — He once said he’d "take a bullet" for Trump
But then everything changed…
The Backstory: From Fixers to Foes
The Dramatic Turnaround
| Then (Before 2018) | Now (After 2018) |
|---|---|
| Cohen protects Trump | Cohen testifies against Trump |
| They’re close allies | They become public enemies |
| Cohen pays "hush money" | Cohen goes to prison for it |
What Is "Hush Money"? (Simple Explanation)
Hush money = Secret payments to keep someone quiet about something embarrassing.
In this case: Cohen paid $130,000 to adult film actress Stormy Daniels right before the 2016 election. The payment was to keep her silent about an alleged affair with Trump.
The Legal Consequences
- Cohen pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations (among other crimes)
- He served prison time (released early due to COVID)
- He became the star witness in Trump’s 2024 criminal trial
- Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts — the first former president ever convicted of a crime
The Surprise Meeting at Bedminster
Secret Summer Meeting
The New York Times revealed: In summer 2025, the two men met privately at Trump’s golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.
- First known contact in years
- Cohen believed Trump might appear on his podcast
- This meeting paved the way for Thursday’s interview
Where and When to Watch/Listen
Schedule
- Thursday night → Cohen’s radio show (live interview)
- Sunday → WABC radio show "When You Know You Know"
- Anytime → Podcast version available online
How to Find It
- WABC Radio website: wabcradio.com/show/when-you-know-you-know/
- Podcast platforms: Search "When You Know You Know" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.
Why This Matters: 5 Big Reasons
This isn’t just any interview — it’s historic.
- First time talking publicly since their explosive fallout
- Trump faces his former fixer who helped put him in legal jeopardy
- Could reveal new details about their relationship and the hush money case
- Shows political calculation — Trump may be trying to control the narrative
- Cohen gets major platform — interviewing a sitting president is huge for his show
Important Points to Remember
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- This interview was not publicly announced beforehand (White House official spoke anonymously)
- Cohen confirmed it himself after the story broke
- The Bedminster meeting in summer 2025 was the turning point
- Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts — Cohen was the star witness
- This represents a remarkable thaw in a famously toxic relationship
Summary
In simple terms: Two men who hated each other’s guts are now sitting down for a chat.
Michael Cohen used to be Donald Trump’s "cleaner" — the guy who fixed problems. Then Cohen flipped, testified against Trump, and helped send him to criminal court (where Trump was convicted of 34 felonies). They didn’t speak for years. But in summer 2025, they secretly met at a golf club. Now, Trump is appearing on Cohen’s radio show and podcast.
Nobody knows exactly what they’ll talk about, but everyone will be listening.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Q1: Why would Trump agree to talk to Cohen after everything?
A: Great question! We don’t know for sure, but experts think Trump might want to:
- Control the narrative (tell his side directly)
- Show he’s "unafraid" of his critics
- Reach Cohen’s audience
- Potentially undermine Cohen’s credibility
Q2: Is this interview happening at the White House?
A: The article doesn’t say where it was recorded. It only mentions a White House official confirmed the plans. The Bedminster meeting happened at Trump’s golf club in New Jersey.
Q3: What does "star witness" mean?
A: A star witness is the most important person testifying in a trial. Their testimony carries the most weight. Cohen was the main person who explained the hush money scheme to the jury.
Q4: Can a sitting president be interviewed by a former critic like this?
A: Yes! There’s no rule against it. Presidents give interviews to all kinds of people — friendly and unfriendly. This is just unusually dramatic because of their history.
Q5: Will this change anything legally for Trump?
A: Probably not directly. Trump’s conviction already happened. But the interview could:
- Influence public opinion
- Be used in future legal proceedings (appeals, etc.)
- Affect Trump’s political standing
Article based on reporting by Jake Traylor (White House correspondent) and Vaughn Hillyard (senior White House reporter) for MS NOW.