Michael Cohen Secretly Taped Trump Discussing Payment to Playboy Model

[Anonymous]

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/20/us/politics/michael-cohen-trump-tape.html?smtyp=cur&smid=tw-nytimes

President Trump’s longtime lawyer, Michael D. Cohen, secretly recorded a conversation with Mr. Trump two months before the presidential election in which they discussed payments to a former Playboy model who said she had an affair with Mr. Trump, according to lawyers and others familiar with the recording.

The F.B.I. seized the recording this year during a raid on Mr. Cohen’s office. The Justice Department is investigating Mr. Cohen’s involvement in paying women to tamp down embarrassing news stories about Mr. Trump ahead of the 2016 election. Prosecutors want to know whether that violated federal campaign finance laws, and any conversation with Mr. Trump about those payments would be of keen interest to them.

The recording’s existence further draws Mr. Trump into questions about tactics he and his associates used to keep aspects of his personal and business life a secret. And it highlights the potential legal and political danger that Mr. Cohen represents to Mr. Trump. Once the keeper of many of Mr. Trump’s secrets, Mr. Cohen is now seen as increasingly willing to consider cooperating with prosecutors.

Then of course there's crackerjack attorney Rudy Giuliani in here claiming that the existence of the tapes proves Trump's innocence (?):

Rudolph W. Giuliani, Mr. Trump’s personal lawyer, confirmed in a telephone conversation on Friday that Mr. Trump had discussed the payments with Mr. Cohen on the tape but said the payment was ultimately never made. He said the recording was less than two minutes and demonstrated that the president had done nothing wrong.

“Nothing in that conversation suggests that he had any knowledge of it in advance,” Mr. Giuliani said, adding that Mr. Trump had directed Mr. Cohen that if he were to make a payment related to the woman, write a check, rather than sending cash, so it could be properly documented.

“In the big scheme of things, it’s powerful exculpatory evidence,” Mr. Giuliani said.

So...what now?

[Anonymous]

OMG, he had an affair? And was going to pay hush-money? So what?

[Anonymous]

can someone help me get in the mind of Giuliani and understand how this is exculpatory?

[Anonymous]

Michael Cohen knew what kind of person he was dealing with when it came to Donald Trump. I wouldn't be surprised if there are more recordings. What a wonderful Friday

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OMG, he had an affair? And was going to pay hush-money? So what?

What do you mean "so what?" Just fine for POTUS to pay hush money?

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:OMG, he had an affair? And was going to pay hush-money? So what?

From the party of family values.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OMG, he had an affair? And was going to pay hush-money? So what?

If Cohen paid to help the campaign of Stormy Daniels' lover, then it may have been an unreported and illegal campaign contribution. If SD's lover knew about that, SD's lover may face legal liability for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OMG, he had an affair? And was going to pay hush-money? So what?

What do you mean "so what?" Just fine for POTUS to pay hush money?

If it's fine for a POTUS to be accused of rape by 3 women and pay off one? Sure, why not?

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OMG, he had an affair? And was going to pay hush-money? So what?

From the party of family values.

See that's where liberals get it wrong. The party runs the gamut. Most of us don't give a crap what he does in his personal life outside of the Presidency. I didn't care about Lewinsky, though debasing the Oval Office like that was tacky.

[Anonymous]

I bet Trump and Guiliani conspired to leak this. They knew it would come out anyways and it's the kind of story which will bump the treason talk off the front page.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I bet Trump and Guiliani conspired to leak this. They knew it would come out anyways and it's the kind of story which will bump the treason talk off the front page.

Ha! Only in the Trump administration would the release of information on paying a porn star to keep silent on adultery seem like a less problematic action than other actions the President has taken.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I bet Trump and Guiliani conspired to leak this. They knew it would come out anyways and it's the kind of story which will bump the treason talk off the front page.

Ha! Only in the Trump administration would the release of information on paying a porn star to keep silent on adultery seem like a less problematic action than other actions the President has taken.

I cannot believe this is real life. Every damn day.

[Anonymous]

Who needs campaign finance laws, anyway? /s

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OMG, he had an affair? And was going to pay hush-money? So what?

From the party of family values.

See that's where liberals get it wrong. The party runs the gamut. Most of us don't give a crap what he does in his personal life outside of the Presidency. I didn't care about Lewinsky, though debasing the Oval Office like that was tacky.

Um, no, you are not getting a pass here. Your party spends a lot of time and capital policing the personal lives of women, so please spare us with "the party runs the gamut." GOPers don't care as long as they are in power. You all had a break down when Obama wore a tan suit and Michelle bared her arms. But Trump can grab ass and Melania bares her breasts and you all suddenly get religion (no pun intended) on the current POTUS' personal life. The Oval Office is debased by Clinton, yet no problem when Trump stands in it with Kislyak (AND ONLY RUSSIAN MEDIA), Putin's proxy, and mocks Comey and the intelligence community. #youallarefrauds

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OMG, he had an affair? And was going to pay hush-money? So what?

From the party of family values.

See that's where liberals get it wrong. The party runs the gamut. Most of us don't give a crap what he does in his personal life outside of the Presidency. I didn't care about Lewinsky, though debasing the Oval Office like that was tacky.

Um, no, you are not getting a pass here. Your party spends a lot of time and capital policing the personal lives of women, so please spare us with "the party runs the gamut." GOPers don't care as long as they are in power. You all had a break down when Obama wore a tan suit and Michelle bared her arms. But Trump can grab ass and Melania bares her breasts and you all suddenly get religion (no pun intended) on the current POTUS' personal life. The Oval Office is debased by Clinton, yet no problem when Trump stands in it with Kislyak (AND ONLY RUSSIAN MEDIA), Putin's proxy, and mocks Comey and the intelligence community. #youallarefrauds

don't forget anyone LGBTQ+

But, sure, we believe you don't give a crap about anyone's personal lives