CATCH AND KILL

Trump and Cohen Discuss Paying Off Playmate in New Tape Obtained by CNN

Trump: "Pay with cash."

In a newly published recording, President Donald Trump and his former personal attorney Michael Cohen talk about the process of paying former Playboy model Karen McDougal for the story of her affair with Trump. “I need to open up a company for the transfer of all of that info regarding our friend David,” Cohen is heard saying on the recording, referring to David Pecker, head of American Media. That company owns the National Enquirer, which paid McDougal $150,000 to “catch and kill” her story. Trump then interrupts Cohen in the recording, asking, “What financing?” Cohen responds that they would “have to pay,” to which Trump is heard responding “pay with cash.” Cohen is heard saying “no, no” before the tape cuts short. Cohen’s attorney Lanny Davis, who provided CNN with the tape, compared Trump to a mobster Tuesday night on Chris Cuomo Primetime. “Everybody heard just now Donald Trump say the word ‘cash’ after Michael Cohen mentioned financing,” he said. “Donald Trump, despite what Rudy Giuliani said publicly, the tape contradicts Mr. Giuliani and the word ‘cash’ is heard by everyone.”