President Donald Trump announced Friday that his legal team has filed a motion in New York state court seeking the dismissal of all remaining charges in his 2024 hush money conviction, citing newly reported claims that former attorney Michael Cohen recanted his testimony.
Trump’s legal team submits filing to dismiss case after Cohen’s alleged recantation
On Friday, Trump posted on Truth Social that Cohen, the prosecution’s primary witness in the case, had recanted his testimony, alleging that he was "pressured" and "coerced" by prosecutors. Trump stated that Cohen’s recantation demonstrated the case against him was "politically weaponized" and called for the immediate termination of all remaining legal proceedings. His legal team subsequently filed a four-page court document in New York state court, requesting an order requiring the attorney general’s office to identify and preserve any communications with Cohen.
The motion follows Trump’s 2024 conviction on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records, related to alleged reimbursements for a $130,000 payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. Cohen, who facilitated the payment, testified that Trump directed him to falsify business records to conceal its true purpose. The conviction occurred while Trump was president-elect, and no penalty was imposed at sentencing, though the convictions remain on his record.
Cohen’s alleged recantation and Trump’s reconciliation
Trump’s claims about Cohen’s recantation have not been independently verified by prosecutors or the court. Newsweek attempted to reach Cohen for comment but did not receive a response. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office declined to comment via email. Cohen previously served as Trump’s personal attorney and self-described "fixer" before their relationship deteriorated in 2018. After pleading guilty to federal crimes in 2018, Cohen became a vocal critic of Trump and later emerged as the star witness in the hush money prosecution.
In recent months, Trump and Cohen have publicly reconciled, with Trump appearing on Cohen’s podcast in late August. Trump praised Cohen’s alleged recantation as an "act of bravery" and credited him with exposing wrongdoing by prosecutors, including New York Attorney General Letitia James and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
Legal and political implications of the filing
Trump’s legal team is pursuing an appeals process that could bring the case before the Supreme Court. In 2025, Judge Juan Merchan issued an unconditional discharge for Trump before he reassumed office, though the convictions remain on record. The defense’s latest filing seeks to compel the attorney general’s office to preserve communications with Cohen, suggesting potential legal arguments centered on prosecutorial conduct.
The case has drawn significant political attention, with Trump framing it as a politically motivated effort to prevent his election. Prosecutors have not publicly addressed the claims of coercion or recantation, and the court has not yet ruled on Trump’s motion to dismiss the case.
Background: The hush money case and Cohen’s role
Prosecutors alleged that Trump falsified business records to conceal the reimbursement of the $130,000 payment to Daniels, which they argued was intended to suppress her allegations of a sexual relationship with Trump during the final weeks of the 2016 presidential campaign. Cohen testified that Trump directed him to falsify records to mislead voters and the public about the payment’s origin and purpose. The prosecution’s case relied heavily on Cohen’s testimony, as well as financial records and communications between Trump, Cohen, and Trump Organization executives.
Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing, arguing that the payment was a legitimate legal expense and that the records were not falsified with criminal intent. His legal team has argued that the case was politically motivated and that prosecutors engaged in misconduct to secure a conviction.