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President Donald Trump and his former attorney Michael Cohen held their first public conversation in eight years during a WABC radio interview released Thursday. The exchange marked a shift in their relationship following a period of public conflict that included Cohen testifying against the president in his New York hush money trial. During the interview, Cohen noted their "rocky road" together, while Trump stated that Cohen had been "weaponized" and praised him for recanting prior testimony regarding pressure from New York officials.
The conversation focused on the ongoing U.S. conflict with Iran, which has lasted nearly five months. Trump characterized Iran’s military and leadership as severely weakened, stating its navy and air force were "gone." While acknowledging that the conflict could increase domestic energy and gasoline costs, he maintained that preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon was the priority. According to Pentagon data cited in the report, 18 U.S. service members have died and hundreds have been wounded during the conflict.
Regarding the domestic economy, Trump described the current state as a "renaissance," citing expanded semiconductor and pharmaceutical manufacturing. He stated that chip plants currently being built in Arizona would reduce dependence on imports from Taiwan. Trump also credited his administration's tariffs for driving domestic factory construction, though he noted the Supreme Court struck those tariffs down in February.
On the issue of immigration, Trump claimed to have solved illegal crossings at the southern border within 60 days of taking office. He asserted that "zero people" had entered through the southern border in the past 16 months. U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported that zero releases had occurred at the border over a 15-month period. Trump also criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for her handling of border security issues.
The reconciliation between the president and his former "fixer" also carries legal implications. Cohen, who served three years in prison for tax violations and lying to Congress, confirmed Thursday that he has submitted a pardon application to the White House. If granted, this would clear the legal record of a key witness who previously provided testimony in the New York hush money trial. This development follows Cohen’s claim in January that he was pressured by state officials to testify against the president, a statement Trump cited as a reason for their repaired relationship.
Public reaction to these policies remains divided along statistical lines. While Trump claimed he would win a re-election bid by 25 points, recent polling from YouGov and the Financial Times indicates that 53 percent of Americans disapprove of his immigration handling and a majority believe economic conditions have worsened. Furthermore, a majority of Americans reportedly oppose the ongoing war in Iran. The next steps for these policies include the resolution of Cohen’s pardon application and the continued construction of domestic manufacturing plants in states like Arizona.