Trump Says He Would Consider Pardon for Michael Cohen

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, that he would consider a pardon for his former personal attorney and fixer Michael Cohen, whose testimony helped secure Trump's 2024 conviction in the New York hush money case. Speaking to reporters before departing for the Republican midterm convention in Dallas, Trump said, "If everything is checking out, it's something I would consider." Trump framed the possible pardon around Cohen's claim that he felt pressured while testifying. "What they did to Michael Cohen was a disgrace," Trump said. "They forced him to say things that he didn't want to say and that he didn't believe. And I appreciate that at least he came out, although late, he came out and rectified the situation." The remarks came during an impromptu gaggle at Joint Base Andrews, where the departure was delayed after the emergency slide on the Qatari-gifted Boeing 747 deflated. Cohen wrote in a January Substack post that he felt compelled and coerced to deliver testimony prosecutors sought, alleging that leading questions were used when his answers did not support the prosecution's narrative. However, the extent of any recantation remains disputed.