Tape reveals Trump discussing payoff over alleged affair

International Desk: A recording of a conversation in which President Donald Trump and his lawyer discuss a payoff over an alleged affair with a model has been broadcast by CNN.

Mr Trump and Michael Cohen discuss buying the rights to former Playboy model Karen McDougal's story.

The audiotape was recorded in September 2016, two months before the election. The affair allegedly dates to 2006.

Mr Trump's current lawyer Rudy Giuliani says no money was paid, and the tape does not show evidence of any crime.

The tape obtained by CNN was one of a number reportedly discovered during an FBI raid on Mr Cohen's property earlier this year in New York.

Mr Giuliani said Mr Cohen had recorded the McDougal conversation at Trump Tower in New York using a hidden device.

Mr Trump has criticised Mr Cohen on Twitter, saying: "What kind of a lawyer would tape a client?"

The conversation jumps around, there are other voices and some of the audio is muffled.

Mr Trump and Mr Cohen, who no longer works for the president, appear to be discussing buying the rights to Ms McDougal's story from the parent company of the National Enquirer. The former Playboy model had sold her story to the Enquirer in the run-up to the election.

Mr Cohen says: "I need to open up a company for the transfer of all of that info regarding our friend, David."

This could be a reference to Mr Trump's friend, David Pecker, president of American Media Inc, the National Enquirer's parent company.

Mr Trump says later: "So, what do we got to pay for this? One-fifty?"

Ms McDougal reportedly received $150,000 (£115,000) from the Enquirer for her story.

Mr Cohen starts to mention financing and Mr Trump asks: "What financing?"

Mr Cohen says: "We'll have to pay".

The next section is pivotal. Mr Trump is heard saying "pay with cash" but it is not clear if he is suggesting to do so or not do so. Mr Cohen's response is clear: "No, no, no".

Mr Trump is then heard saying "cheque".

Source: BBC


risingbd/Dhaka/July 25, 2018/AI