Michael Cohen Stonewalls Jake Tapper When Asked, ‘Do You Still Think President Trump Is a Racist and a Conman?’

Michael Cohen, the former attorney and fixer for President Donald Trump, refused to address any of the voluminous criticisms he lobbed against his ex-client in recent years.

In 2018, Cohen was convicted of tax evasion, making false statements to a bank, and campaign finance violations. He was released early during the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2024, he testified against Trump in the New York hush money trial, at which Trump was convicted on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. However, Cohen now says he “felt coerced” by prosecutors into testifying.

On Thursday, Cohen aired part of an interview with Trump on his radio program. The friendly exchange was unthinkable not that long ago, with Cohen having refashioned himself as an anti-Trump mainstay on cable news and podcasts.

Shortly before the interview aired on WABC radio in New York, Cohen called in to The Lead, where Jake Tapper asked Cohen if he thinks some people may see him as a chameleon of sorts.

“How do you answer the criticism that people see you as an opportunist?” he inquired.

“I speak, and I continue to speak truth,” Cohen responded. “I believe, as I have always believed, that I am more centrist than I am anything. There’s nothing in my political positions, in my policies, and my beliefs that have changed. I still believe, for example, that what Trump is doing in Iran is the right thing. I believe that Israel has a right to defend itself and to be a sovereign nation.”

Tapper followed up by asking Cohen plainly if he stands by all the accusations he made against Trump.

“But do you still think President Trump is a racist and a conman and a cheat?” he asked.

“You know, again, but what you’re doing is you’re trying to go back in time,” Cohen said. “And I refuse to do that. I will not do that.”

With that, Tapper ended the interview.

Later on CNN, journalist Tara Palmeri said Cohen contacted her last year to ask for Trump’s phone number. She said Cohen is clearly angling for a pardon.

“It’s always been about a pardon for him,” she explained.

Watch above via CNN.

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!