Sycophancy in stereo as former Trump hater Michael Cohen loses his nerve

Political loyalties shifted in remarkable fashion on Thursday, 20 August 2026, as Michael Cohen welcomed Donald Trump onto his New York radio programme for what was billed as the Untruth and Reconciliation Commission on 77 WABC radio. Reporting from The Guardian and Aol details how the former personal lawyer traded his past denunciations for terms such as boss and sir. This remarkable about-face follows a history of bitter public estrangement in which mutual hostility defined their relationship.

Years prior, Cohen testified before Congress that the president was a racist, conman, cheat, and a figure who behaved more like a mobster than a head of state. He previously claimed that Trump courted white supremacists and arranged a hush-money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels. In return, Trump branded his former fixer a rat. On Thursday, however, the broadcast featured none of that past animosity. Instead, Cohen delivered a deferential, fawning interview, allowing the president's statements to go completely unchallenged while rolling out a metaphorical red carpet.

Media additions

According to The Guardian and Aol, Cohen is far from the first prominent critic to reverse course and return to Trump's political orbit. While power and wealth often motivate such political reconciliations, Cohen’s underlying incentives may differ significantly. The radio host previously served prison time for covering up what he termed Trump's dirty deeds and has since submitted an application for a pardon.

During a lengthy pre-interview hype sequence, Cohen compared their joint legal battles to historical figures, telling listeners that perhaps no two individuals on the planet had faced weaponisation of the justice department more than himself and Trump. He likened their dynamic to Andrew Jackson and Aaron Burr, suggesting the only difference was the absence of hot lead in favour of incarceration. When Trump joined the broadcast, he appeared to agree while adding his own interpretation. They weaponised you, they weaponised a lot of people, and I respect the fact that you recanted everything you said. And that’s a big thing that you did. It’s a very big thing, Trump told Cohen, as reported by The Guardian and Aol.

Despite the president's assertion, The Guardian and Aol note a crucial point of order: Cohen has not necessarily recanted everything he previously said. Instead, he has spoken of forgiveness that does not require amnesia. Rather than addressing the recantation claim directly, Cohen swerved past it, reminisced about receiving traditional Trump shoulder slaps, and complained about television networks obsessing over presidential approval ratings.

The conversation wandered across familiar political territory. Trump offered dubious claims regarding the war in Iran while Cohen questioned why the public was not more grateful. The host repeatedly addressed his guest as sir and boss, wallowing in nostalgia about analysing poll methodology together during earlier years. Trump subsequently pivoted to criticize reporters as crooked, attacked the New York Times, and asserted that the national economy is roaring.

Broader Reactions to the Broadcast

The interview broke no new ground journalistically, prompting varied outside commentary. When the broadcast concluded, Cohen quoted the 1978 Peaches & Herb song Reunited, declaring that it felt good and likening their political partnership to John Lennon and Paul McCartney.

Alternate perspectives emerged quickly across cable news. Over on CNN, criminal defence lawyer and former Apprentice contestant Stacy Schneider offered a much darker historical analogy for the broadcast, stating, This is like the reunion of Julius Caesar and Brutus.

Context and What Follows