The Wall Street Journal did more digging on Republican presidential noninee Donald Trump, and reported that The National Enquirer paid an ex-Playboy model $150,000 for her story of an affair she had with Trump.
The National Enquirer then never published the story, shielding Trump.
According to WSJ, Trump cheated on his 3rd wife with a Playboy Model, then his buddies at the National Enquirer paid 150K to cover it up
— Judd Legum (@JuddLegum) November 5, 2016
The tabloid purchased the story in August, according to WSJ, which reports it reviewed the contract. The model in question is Karen McDougal, who was 1998’s “Playmate of the Year.” She claims she had a consensual affair with Donald Trump in 2006, just one year after he married his third and current wife, Melania. The relationship reportedly lasted for about 10 months.
As for why The National Enquirer would buy the story and not publish it, that’s where some of the waters get murkier, and could potentially spell trouble for Trump.
The CEO of American Media, Inc., which owns The National Enquirer, is David Pecker, and he and Trump are close friends. Pecker openly supports Trump’s presidential campaign.
In fact, The New York Daily News writes:
“Trump wrote a series of self-aggrandizing columns for The Enquirer as the Republican primaries were ramping up last year. One began, ‘I am the only one who can make America great again!’ and another was headlined, ‘Donald Trump: The Man Behind the Legend!'”
According to the report, McDougal sold The National Enquirer the story under the assumption that it would be published. Sources indicate that Pecker buried the story and never intended to publish it. Instead, he only picked it up to hide it; shielding Trump from the fallout.
This could be viewed as an in-kind campaign donation, which is a violation of campaign finance law.
AMI disputed the payment, denied burying the story, and declined to name Donald Trump as the man the story of the affair was about. AMI sent a statement to the Wall Street Journal, telling them:
“AMI has not paid people to kill damaging stories about Mr. Trump.”
So, if this affair actually happened, and The National Enquirer actually bought this story just to protect Trump, what effect will it have? Judging from what we already know about Trump, probably not much. McDougal claims it was a consensual affair, and Trump’s supporters are already aware that the real estate mogul has had affairs in the past.
#TBT in honor of #RepublicanDebate– Mr. #humble-his #SecretServiceCodeName #DonaldTrump (along w/#DavidFoster and E! pic.twitter.com/mDu9nG9Dmh
— Karen McDougal (@karenmcdougal98) September 17, 2015
.@karenmcdougal98 Give back the money. We can crowdfund more. Tell your story. https://t.co/7W4Ef3s6oh
— Krister Johnson (@KristerJohnson) November 5, 2016
This is yet another scary look into what a Trump presidency could be. This is a man who surrounds himself with sycophants and “yes men.”
Trump claims to hate the media, but buddies up to one of the country’s most extravagant tabloids that is now shielding him. The polls and the election are rigged, except when he is winning.
He claims his opponent is a liar, a criminal, and hiding all sorts of secrets, while he himself has routinely been found to engage in the same behavior that he speaks out against.
Trump’s hypocrisy and ability to blatantly lie, even when presented with truth and evidence, would have disqualified practically any previous presidential candidate. Instead, the orange monster is just a few swing states away from becoming the most powerful man in the world.
Watch this video collaboration for more information about other women who have had affairs with Donald Trump:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erKZ38iB-Gc&ab_channel=World5List
Featured Image © Glenn Francis, PacificProDigital/CC -SA-1.0–2.0–2.5–3.0–4.0 And By Michael Vadon/CC-SA-2.0, Via Wikimedia Commons
