Michael Cohen’s lawyer releases audio recording of secret Trump tape

The following article was posted on the Axios website July 24, 2018:

Michael Cohen, longtime personal lawyer and confidante for President Trump. Credit:: Don Emmert, AFP/Getty Images

CNN on Tuesday obtained the audio recording of a conversation Michael Cohen had secretly with his longtime client Donald Trump, in which the two could be heard discussing making a payment to a Playboy model who allegedly had an extramarital affair with Trump about a decade ago.

The conversation: Trump could be heard asking Cohen, “What financing?,” CNN reports.

  • Cohen: “We’ll have to pay.”
  • Trump: “Pay with cash.” The audio is muddled and it’s unclear whether he suggested his attorney should pay with cash or not pay, CNN notes.
  • Cohen: “No, no.” It’s unclear what was said next.

Why it matters: The September 2016 recording, which Cohen’s lawyer Lanny Davis gave to CNN, confirms that President Trump had some knowledge of a proposal to buy the rights to the story of Karen McDougal, the Playboy model.

View the complete post here.