Trump Recorded Discussing Hush Money Payment to Playboy Playmate
Another day another bombshell revelation exposing Donald Trump's endless lies. As reported by Maggie Haberman of the New York Times, Trump's former lawyer and closest confidant Michael D. Cohen, secretly recorded a telephone conversation involving Trump discussing the hush money payment to former Playboy model Karen McDougal.
This contradicts incessant denials from Trump and other White House officials. When asked directly whether Trump directed Cohen to allocate the alleged payment or if Cohen was acting independent of his client's (Trump) consent, Trump claimed he had no knowledge of the payment in question. This recorded audio proves Trump knew the payment was being made and he lied to the American public for months about it. Should this continue, Trump's appetite for spreading falsehoods will be his undoing.
McDougal claims she participated in a yearlong affair with Trump back in 2006. Soon after, Melania Trump gave birth to their youngest son, Barron. After selling her story to the National Enquirer for $150,000, the Enquirer intentionally sat on the information to help shield Trump from negative press before the 2016 election. The Enquirer's practice of sitting on the story is known as “catch and kill.” It is believed the Enquirer killed the story because of the friendly relationship between company executives and Trump.
While many in Trump's proximal orbit progress through criminal proceedings related to the F.B.I.'s investigation into Russia's attack of American democracy, Trump's erraticism grows larger and less predictable. Despite national fallout, including backlash from within his own party, Trump's refusal to challenge Vladimir Putin for attacking U.S. democracy remains unwavering. This outrageous behavior from a sitting "president" is beyond belief. Opponents of Trump grow more helpful daily as they await the decision of special counsel Robert Mueller.
The recording of Trump and Cohen was seized during a raid conducted by the F.B.I. The Justice Department is investigating whether the payment to Ms. McDougal violated campaign finance laws. In addition to the payment to Ms. McDougal, Cohen is apparently also responsible for payments to other women engaged in extra-marital affairs with Trump. Cohen proved himself worthy of the moniker "fixer" thanks to his acumen for keeping Trump and his other clients out of the news for misconduct.
In order to avoid a permanent prison cell, Cohen seems increasingly willing to consider cooperating with prosecutors. Providing this audio was expected to be the first step in any agreement between his counsel and the Justice Department.
