Trump and former fixer Michael Cohen make amends

President Trump appeared to welcome his former fixer, Michael Cohen, back into his good graces during a friendly interview on Sunday. The two discussed a variety of subjects, including Trump's proposed ballroom, the state of the economy during his second term, and the issue of "weaponization" that was tearing the nation apart. This was the first time the president and Cohen had spoken publicly since Cohen testified as a key witness in the hush money trial, which resulted in Trump's conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.

The two had a history of trading barbs with each other, with Cohen labeling Trump as a "conman" and a "predator," while the president called Cohen a "rat." However, during the interview, Cohen referred to Trump as "boss," and the pair openly discussed why so many people in America had a negative view of the president. They also delved into Cohen's role in the hush money trial, which Trump blamed on New York Attorney General Letitia James and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, alleging they compelled Cohen to testify against him.

When asked by CNN's Jake Tapper if Cohen still stood by his previous testimony that Trump ordered him to commit crimes, Cohen refused to comment on his past statements. He further stated that he submitted a pardon application to Trump's White House, though he alleged the Biden administration denied it. Earlier this year, Cohen revealed that he felt "pressured and coerced" by prosecutors to testify against Trump.

The conversation between Trump and Cohen brought to light the complexities of their relationship and the impact of their past actions on each other. Cohen acknowledged that they had forgiven each other, but emphasized that he had to move forward and not let the past dictate his future actions.