Michael Cohen, former lawyer for Donald Trump and star witness in the NYC trial that convicted Trump, has announced his intention to run for office in 2026. 

In a detailed interview with New York Magazine, Cohen discussed his history with Trump and their ongoing feud, as well as his political ambitions. He stated that he plans to run for New York’s 12th congressional district, currently represented by Democrat Jerry Nadler, who has held the position for over three decades. 

“We thank him for his service, but it’s enough already,” Cohen said, referring to Nadler. In response to these comments, Nadler referred to Cohen as a con man. 

Cohen told reporters he is set to officially announce his campaign on November 6, the day after this year’s general election. He mentioned that he would have run in the current election cycle but postponed due to Trump’s trial causing him to have a “mental breakdown.”  

Since the trial, Cohen has built a public presence, especially on TikTok where he has shared his thoughts and discussed the idea of running for office. He has hosted nightly TikTok streams, where he vents about Trump and news related to the trial and has openly criticized Trumpism as “fascism” that must be eradicated, often seen wearing a shirt depicting Trump in jail. 

In his interview, the former Trump attorney also claimed that both he and Trump only made eye contact once during the trial and that Trump frequently had his eyes closed. 

“It’s crazy,” Cohen said. “I would say for my very first day, I’m not joking now, 90% of the time that I was on the stand, he was sleeping. Well, I shouldn’t say sleeping. He was with his eyes closed and slumped over. Here’s the crazy s***: The jury can see him! They are watching him! Now, if I was a juror and the defendant is so disinterested in his own case? I’d be p*ssed!”