Trump jokes about assassination attempts, says only consequential presidents face such threats
In an interview with Michael Cohen, President Trump downplayed the multiple assassination attempts against him, saying 'only consequential presidents get shot.' He acknowledged the job is dangerous but said he has great people protecting him. Cohen urged him to be less consequential.
The interview marked the first public conversation between Trump and Cohen in nearly a decade, following Cohen's prior role as a witness in two New York cases against the president. Cohen cited a biblical passage about forgiveness in explaining his decision to sit down with Trump despite their contentious history.
Trump's remarks came amid reports that he had secretly switched to a separate military jet in response to a credible Iranian threat. He noted that recent presidents he characterized as "non-consequential" faced no such dangers, while acknowledging his security team provides strong protection.
This exchange could shape public perception of presidential security threats, potentially normalizing assassination attempts as an expected cost of leadership. The unusual reunion between Trump and his former critic may also influence how audiences view political reconciliation, though skeptics could see it as mutually beneficial publicity. The framing of "consequential" presidents may resonate with supporters while concerning those who worry about downplaying genuine security risks.