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Tape of Trump discussing hush money for alleged affair released

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By Nicholas Kamm, Dimitrios Kambouris

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During the campaign, the Trump team denied any knowledge of the deal between McDougal and American Media.

Probably just misspoke.

10 ( +13 / -3 )

""We won't pay with cash?" Trump asks, according to the CNN transcript of a segment that is particularly hard to hear. Cohen is then heard saying "no, no" and it is not clear what is said next..."

Blah, blah, blah... Most voters don't care about Trump's sex life, they care about jobs and and the economy and national security and that's why Trump's going to be re-elected in a landslide in 2020.

-28 ( +10 / -38 )

MrBum Har! Trump 2020!

-23 ( +6 / -29 )

Most voters don't care about Trump's sex life

Just as it turned out that they didn't really care about Clinton's either. However, it is the attempt to cover up that puts people at ris. It is always the cover up, not the sin itself that brings people down. But as Clinton got away with lying about Lewinsky, so will Trump get away with his.

14 ( +16 / -2 )

American voters know Trump was an adulterer before the election, and voted for him anyway. Whatever he did 10 years ago, before he was even considering a run in politics, is totally irrelevant. Trying to tie it to campaign finance laws is a ridiculous longshot.

Voters simply don't care. The issues that top the Gallup poll list of possible issues that voters are concerned about are the economy, distrust of government, and immigration. Distractions like Trump's private life, and Russia, mean nothing.

-10 ( +11 / -21 )

In the tape, Trump and Cohen talk about buying the rights to McDougal's story, which she had sold a month earlier to the National Enquirer for $150,000. The tabloid never published the story.

Trump has a good relationship with the National Enquirer. They didn’t publish an embarrassing and potentially damaging story and he regurgitates their trash conspiracy theories.

Good job not all media outlets are fake news.

7 ( +12 / -5 )

3 points:

1 - it's CNN

2 - easy to impersonate Trump

3 - where did this tape suddenly appear from?

Sounds like another (pathetic) attempt from the left to discredit Trump. Again.

-20 ( +7 / -27 )

Voters simply don't care.

59% of voters don't think he deserves to be in office. And he's caught blatantly lying again. The people may not care specifically about the women, but his overall image as a sleazebag increases every time he gets caught lying. The only question is what the straw that breaks the camel's back will be.

10 ( +14 / -4 )

so the FBI raided Cohen’s office and took all his devices and files. So how and from whom did CNN get this exactly?

-14 ( +6 / -20 )

so the FBI raided Cohen’s office and took all his devices and files. So how and from whom did CNN get this exactly?

Someone didn't bother to read the article, and is once again asking questions they haven't bothered to find the answers to.

Five points to team red, for coming up with a cunning question.

12 ( +15 / -3 )

was reported last week by the New York Times, which said the FBI seized it during a raid on Cohen's office this year.

How would his lawyer Lanny Davis have something the FBI seized? Liberals aren’t very inquisitive these days.

-13 ( +4 / -17 )

No crime on the tape. In fact they discussed setting up a company to make the payment so that there would be a paper trail.

Trump removed the attorney/client privilege for the investigation purposes but I wonder if that allows CNN to broadcast a leaked copy on TV or not.

-10 ( +6 / -16 )

How would his lawyer Lanny Davis have something the FBI seized?

Oh, seven points for a brilliant question?

Sorry, as we don't know the answer to this, nor what sort of nefarious plot you seem to believe the answer proves, you'll have to tell us, how exactly would his lawyer Lanny Davis have something the FBI seized?

4 ( +7 / -3 )

No crime on the tape.

I hadn't seen the results of the trial yet. Nor, for that matter, even the investigation. Can you please point me at these?

In fact they discussed setting up a company to make the payment so that there would be a paper trail.

And you're basing this declaration on...?

5 ( +9 / -4 )

The fact that my ears can hear them discussing to set up a company to acquire the rights on the tape. Confirmed by this article.

What trial and for what? Will be none as the payment was never even made. CNN wasn’t interested enough to ask how the lawyer had the tape to share if the FBI had seized it so we may never know.

-11 ( +5 / -16 )

This is really getting to the pathetic point watching the left try and try and try and still nothing. Smh.

Heh, the president gets caught lying about cheating on his wife, and paying off people to hush it up.

Some good 'ol Christian values there!

7 ( +12 / -5 )

The fact that my ears can hear them discussing to set up a company to acquire the rights on the tape.

Um, and what about your conclusion that they did this so that there would be a paper trail? You really don't have a good track record here.

What trial and for what?

Well you claimed their is no crime in hushing up this payment - the only way that could have been determined is if there was an investigation and then a trial. So please point us at these.

Or, were you just trying to claim that there was no crime without that actually having been determined?

8 ( +11 / -3 )

So what?

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

Because there is a paper trail when a company is registered and payments made from or to it.

Nothing was said on the tape that would lead to any type of investigation. trump waived his privilege to keep it secret under client/attorney so that’s obvious.

Funny how you are all cool with Hillary paying Russians through a British spy not being anything important. yet Trump talking about how to make a private payment that was never made is somehow a problem.

This exact story was in the WSJ 4 days before the election. No one cares. I slightly interested how people have this tape when the FBI seized it.

-11 ( +5 / -16 )

Meanwhile the Trump endorsed candidate won the primary in GA and GDP is going to be 4-5%. Please keep focusing on things such as these tapes, that’s how to win the midterms! Not.

People already voted on Trump and his “character” (or lack thereof if you are a liberal) in 2016. Everything here on out is going to be about policies and their results.

-12 ( +3 / -15 )

Feels like a convo between 2 mobsters in a James Ellroy novel! The potus, ladies & gentlemen.

Btw, why did you omit the 'maybe he gets hit by a truck' line? (Trump's)

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Guys! Guys! This is a total misunderstanding. This recording doesn't actually show that the current President of the United States created a dummy company in order to conceal payments he used to silence stories that might reflect poorly on him just before the election.

He just mis-spoke. He meant to say, "cashn't".

10 ( +12 / -2 )

Because there is a paper trail when a company is registered and payments made from or to it.

Good point, Black! - except for the obfuscation. For example, in the Daniels affair, the money was paid from the "company" (that is, Cohen's pockets); Cohen was subsequently, obliquely reimbursed by the Trump Organization in the form of retainer fees. Pretty straightforward, right?

The elephant in the room here is whether the Trump organization ever reimbursed American Media. My bet is they did, and my bet is that Mueller has the evidence. This would break a whole lotta laws.

Sure, this has nothing to do with Russian interference in the election, but look at how Ken Starr's investigation metastasized - and I see no conservative complaining about that. In normal times, this scandal in itself would be sufficient to commence impeachment.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

The farcical Donald J. Trump doing what he does best ... this dangerous embarrassment to the USA and the world must be legally removed from office before he causes more damage.

Donald J. Trump has fooled some of the people some of the time, but he cannot fool most of the people most of the time.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

The closest parallel to this case is likely John Edwards, a Dem candidate who funneled money through a supporter to a woman he'd had an affair with and who bore his child. The result was he was driven forever from electoral politics on the Democratic ticket (some parties have scruples!).

Documented now are two similar incidents Trump has caused. Could there be more? - Probably. Take a look at Elliot Broidy, former RNC's deputy national finance chairman. Seriously: take a look at this obese, older man who copted to an affair with a Playboy model which resulted in an abortion and a large payoff arranged through ... Cohen. With similar wording on the contract as the previous two affairs. Everyone knows it's highly unlikely the married, child-blessed Broidy would have had an affair with a Playboy model.

The evidence is out there and is imminent. We'll see how Trump's base reacts to a third affair that resulted in an abortion and the lies he made to conceal it.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

Because there is a paper trail when a company is registered and payments made from or to it.

Ok, we're getting closer. So we've established that they talked about making a company on tape, and we've established that a paper trail is left when a company is registered and payments are made from or to it. Let's review your comment just for clarity:

In fact they discussed setting up a company to make the payment so that there would be a paper trail.

You'll notice the section I highlighted there. The non-highlighted parts are what have been established, that they discussed setting up a company, and that there is a paper trail. But your claim is written is that the company was set up for the purpose of leaving a paper trail, to which I asked what you were basing said declaration upon, which you still haven't answered.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Nothing was said on the tape that would lead to any type of investigation.

And you're basing that upon....?

Funny how you are all cool with Hillary paying Russians through a British spy not being anything important. yet Trump talking about how to make a private payment that was never made is somehow a problem.

Sorry, you don't have any But Hillary cards left in your hand. You have played them all. Unfortunately you are out of 'lock her up' cards as well. Please choose another card to play.

“character” (or lack thereof if you are a liberal)

What do you mean by character? Are you referring to sleeping with people while your wife is at home with your newly born child? Or do you mean when you don't rent your apartments to black people. Or maybe you mean bankrupting companies and leaving everyone else to deal with it? Is that the character we lack as liberals?

7 ( +9 / -2 )

this dangerous embarrassment to the USA and the world must be legally removed from office before he causes more damage.

That's what my gut tells me, but my head thinks removing Trump from office in any other way than through an election would be more damaging. People would stop believing that true democracy comes from the voices and actions of the people, rather than from political showboating.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Trump is such a slimeball.

6 ( +10 / -4 )

Are you referring to sleeping with people while your wife is at home with your newly born child?

Oh, but Strangerland, No! While Trump has been forced to admit the payments, he continues to deny the affairs ever happened - as if this skinflint who once payed his son's $6 scouting fee through his "charitable trust" would dump 300 grand on a couple of impostors (and that's not to mention those yet uncovered).

The key point, as many have mentioned, is that if it is so easy for Playboy models to squeeze Trump and make him connive and lie, what does Putin have on him?

6 ( +8 / -2 )

The key point, as many have mentioned, is that if it is so easy for Playboy models to squeeze Trump and make him connive and lie, what does Putin have on him?

The million dollar question.

8 ( +11 / -3 )

if it’s known that creating a company creates a paper trail.....then you obviously chose to create a paper trail by doing so.

Otherwise you put cash in a paper bag.

This was all known prior to the election and people voted for Trump anyway. So he is not going anywhere.

-10 ( +3 / -13 )

I've tallied the total number of votes Trump will lose in the 2020 election because of this. The grand total is...Zero. Hee hee!

-12 ( +2 / -14 )

Personally I could not care less about what is on that tape. For a lawyer to secretly tape his/her client is shocking, and in the face of all ethics.

A lawyer like that is the last person I would want to defend my interests.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

This was all known prior to the election and people voted for Trump anyway.

Black, the whole point of the payments was that none of this would be known before the election. Remember all those Clinton attacks on "Trump had an affair with a stripper while his wife was recovering from giving birth to his youngest son!" advertisements? Neither do I, though I wish I did. You've really gotta check your timeline.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

Crafted in all of five seconds, the truth comes easy.

-5 ( +2 / -7 )

Wall Street Journal reported it all. Might want to check your own timeline.

National Enquirer Shielded Donald Trump From Playboy Model’s Affair Allegation

Tabloid owner American Media agreed to pay $150,000 for story from 1998 Playmate of the Year, but hasn’t published her account

By Joe Palazzolo, Michael Rothfeld and Lukas I. Alpert

November 4, 2016

-11 ( +1 / -12 )

Blacklabel- so true. Polls consistently show Americans could not care less about his alleged affair or the fake Russia story.

Let the liberal media continue to cry. It’s only encouraging the #walkaway exodus

-10 ( +3 / -13 )

There are multiple, documented sources about the $7 (sorry, not $6) that the Trump Foundation "donated" to the Boy Scouts of America, an amount equaling admission fee, during the same year hi son joined. It was reported in the Foundation's tax return.

Perhaps it had nothing to do with his son joining and he just felt generous. I dunno, Bass - which do you think is more likely?

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-elections/us-election-donald-trump-foundation-biggest-donation-fountain-republican-party-new-york-a7387701.html

7 ( +8 / -1 )

People already voted on Trump and his “character” (or lack thereof if you are a liberal)

I don’t think anyone claims Trump lacks character. It’s the make-up of his character that people comment on.

I have more respect for people who accept the obvious - he’s stunningly uninformed, intellectually incurious, very inarticulate, a pathological liar, delights in trash and a is sleaze bag, but he’s pursuing policies they like ( or are prepared to accept after a swift 180 ).

Defending Trump the man is getting ridiculous. I don’t know why people bother.

9 ( +10 / -1 )

"First thing's first, I misspoke. Second thing's first, it wasn't me."

6 ( +7 / -1 )

confusing inarticulate with telling it like it is:

I know. It’s such a fine line between stupid and clever.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

but he’s pursuing policies they like ( or are prepared to accept after a swift 180 ).

What?

What you did after calling Trump the leader of a lunatic fringe and then doing dramatic 180s on previously held ideas.

I thought you of all people wouldn’t need me to clarify this point, but I’m happy to do so.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Jimizio,

I think Trump takes cocaine for public appearances. Possibly on it all day long. If you know anyone who does in plenty of bugle they tend to talk a lot of self-important lengthy nonsense in a very, very similar fashion.

Case in point all that honking and snorting during the '16 debate with Hillary.

7 ( +8 / -1 )

What you did after calling Trump the leader of a lunatic fringe and then doing dramatic 180s on previously held ideas. 

I was dumb, but then I evolved, got wiser.

I thought you of all people wouldn’t need me to clarify this point, but I’m happy to do so

And you’re wrong on pretty much every point, I need to make a clarification on that point.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

What would one have to talk about if it were not for Trump. No doubt, it would be a boring life. Perhaps they would go back to reading comic books.

Says the poster who comments exclusively on Trump or Trump-related topics :-)

Nothing wrong with that, of course. Or playing golf, or counting your monies or reading comic books.

However, it might be the case that less would be said about your PotUS if he didn't lie and bully and threaten his way through his imbecelic presidency. One can hope, I suppose.

Interesting, everytime you put a plus for a positive comment about Trump it is simultaneously offset by a negative vote. Every single time. I think we know where the editors at JT stand. How pathetic when this kind of stuff is going on. Where is the professionalism in journalism today?

Interesting, you seem to have just joined today and yet you're already posting conspiracy theories about the up/down votes. Not to mention dissing the Mods.

We all get voted up and down. It's hardly the end of the world.

Perhaps, and this is my shocking theory, people vote up/down stuff because they either agree or disagree with what the posters have said?

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Blacklqbel: Just wonder why liberals think Trump should be impeached

Dont be silly. No one would ever try to inpeach a president for lying about an affair.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

*inpeach

4 ( +5 / -1 )

I think Trump takes cocaine for public appearances. Possibly on it all day long. If you know anyone who does in plenty of bugle they tend to talk a lot of self-important lengthy nonsense in a very, very similar fashion.

Maybe it was Hillary that was coked out, she did miss an awful lot of appearances in Wisconsin and everyone seem to have dropped the ball and I’m sure they used a lot on the eve of the election when the results were coming in.

Case in point all that honking and snorting during the '16 debate with Hillary.

Probably not, his pupils didn’t seem dilated.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

@Jimizo At least Trump knows how many states are in the United States ( not 57, like Obama thought ). Hee hee!

Madverts: "I think Trump takes cocaine"

Har! He doesn't even do alcohol, Madverts, lol.

Northern: "Trumplets going nuts on this one"

More like those with Trump Derangement Syndrome going nuts on this one, hehe

Voters have been through this dirt raking before the election and have collectively said “we don’t care”. They care about the economy, jobs, peace and secure borders.

Trump 2020

-9 ( +2 / -11 )

Here's what Trump should say to the people with Trump Derangement Syndrome:

LMAO....Not today, folks...try harder....You won't be rid of me until noon on January 20th 2025...My work has only just begun!

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

Can Europeans (besides the Russians) do anything to change our political system?

If Steve Bannon can come over to Europe and try and mess around with their politics, I'm sure the reverse is possible, yes.

If Europeans complain about our political system, will congress care or take action?

Wait until the trade wars really start to bite.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

It is not a complaint, it is curiosity. Why should non-Americans give a hoot about Trumps previous sex life- as it does not effect them at all. Could it be jealousy?

This should be of concern or no concern between American citizens. Frankly, most Americans do not give a hoot, so why should non-Americans give a hoot.

Some people need to get a life, instead of stirring the pot, honking about affairs that are between American Citizens.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

If Europeans complain about our political system, will congress care or take action?

If the US right comment, as they do very frequently, on immigration in European countries ( they love terrorist attacks there ) and the health care systems in European countries, will that change policy?

Is it any of their business? I think they have a right to comment.

Surely the response that it is an example of what they don’t want can be countered with the same.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

It is not a complaint, it is curiosity. Why should non-Americans give a hoot about Trumps previous sex life- as it does not effect them at all. Could it be jealousy?

Bwaaa haaa haa. Priceless! And a bit different to your original question. Still. Nobody gives a darn about who he's shagging. I've already said that. It's that he's lying about it. That's the slur on his character. You have a pathological liar as President. He can have sex with whoever he wishes.

This should be of concern or no concern between American citizens. Frankly, most Americans do not give a hoot, so why should non-Americans give a hoot.

I'm sorry, Ray, but you and I don't get to chose who comments here and on what topic. That's up to the Moderators.

Some people need to get a life, instead of stirring the pot, honking about affairs that are between American Citizens.

Who needs to get a life? The reporters? JT? Us posters? Hush money isn't just something that can be swept under the carpet, much as you'd like it to be.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Bwana haaa haa. Priceless! And a bit different to your original question. Still. Nobody gives a darn about who he's shagging. I've already said that. It's that he's lying about it. That's the slur on his character. You have a pathological liar as President. He can have sex with whoever he wishes.

Yes, as we all can. Quite a few Presidents have had affairs and lied through their teeth, so what’s the crime now?

. 

Who needs to get a life? The reporters? JT? Us posters? Hush money isn't just something that can be swept under the carpet, much as you'd like it to be.

No, but it’s not even close to something that could get the President impeached.

-7 ( +2 / -9 )

Unlike your good self, of course. 

Now I bash Trump? And on a continuous basis?

I can't claim to speak for anyone else but myself. However, I'll try - for the umpteenth time - to explain.

Trump's actions impact the whole world.

Huh? But before you all were saying the US is irrelevant and Trump is an idiot and good luck to the US. I love that advice, why you guys change?

Be it threatening other nations with conflict, antagonising allies, trade wars, pulling out of the Paris agreement, pulling out of the Iran deal, interfering in UK and EU business, trying to get other leaders to pull out of said EU. How's that's for starters?

Yeah, but what he do that was out of line?

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

It is not a complaint, it is curiosity. Why should non-Americans give a hoot about Trumps previous sex life- as it does not effect them at all. Could it be jealousy?

Not likely. We just wish it would leave our news feeds... along with Trump... but since it's here why shouldn't we comment on it? Jealousy? Lol. Anyone can pay for it.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Guilty or not guilty? GG UU II LL TT YY !! Lock him up! LOCK HIM UP!! Manafort needs company!

3 ( +4 / -1 )

CNN? What a joke!

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

Eh, ever since Bill Clinton, I just don't care about politician's sex lives. As long as it's legal, who cares. At least he didn't do it in the oval office.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

American voters know Trump was an adulterer before the election, and voted for him anyway.

Yep.

When you have 2 terrible choices, you choose the least bad or what you think is the least bad.

Nobody is a single-issue voter, I hope. Personal traits (liar, adulterer, business crook) appear to matter less than campaign promises which cannot be met.

For ref: repeal ACA, build a wall w/MX paying, end illegal immigration, block terrorists from visiting/immigrating to the USA, cut taxes for everyone, including businesses, end abuse of work visa programs.

He tried. Judges and Congress got in the way for many, which demonstrates he is ineffective at political haggling to get his priorities passed.

He's still a liar and will be onto his next wife soon.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Heh trying to spin this as about being about Trumo’s sex life I stead of as being about Trump consistently lying to the American people.

8 ( +9 / -1 )

... Cohen's attorney, Lanny Davis

Who is going to be Davis's attorney?

Who would want to be?

How many people is Trump going to throw under a bus?

Are there enough buses under which to throw the US presidential electorate who voted for Trump for president when he turns around and blames them for his presidential woes?

Will he call it fake news when he does?

What does it say about people in the US who continue to put up with and even still support their rogue president?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Whoopee!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

How would his lawyer Lanny Davis have something the FBI seized?

tape made last year, seized this year. lots of time to make copies..

heck, if i was cohen i would have made duplicates of all conversations with trump and made sure davis got a copy.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Thank God it’s not really a crime.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

Thank God it’s not really a crime.

It is if he used campaign cash.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

It is if he used campaign cash

But not an impeccably offense.

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

"We won't pay with cash?" Trump asks, according to the CNN transcript of a segment that is particularly hard to hear.

How do Nicholas Kamm, and Dimitrios Kambouris, know that Trump's statement was a question (they chose to  end Trump's statement with a question mark, in their article) if that segment was so "PARTICULARLY HARD TO HEAR"? Did they guess? Did they make use a Ouija board? Did they hear what they wanted to hear? Did they hope it was a question? Did they think that nobody would notice their use of a question mark?

And someone leaked this recording. CNN has/bought/stolen it. From who did CNN steal/buy/obtain this particular recording?

-6 ( +0 / -6 )

CNN has/bought/stolen it. From who did CNN steal/buy/obtain this particular recording?

Typical right-wing statement. Makes claim, then posts question asking someone to support their claim.

Maybe you should try to get the answers before you pass judgement hmm?

1 ( +3 / -2 )

You've got to hand it to the Trump loyalists. Despite the focus on his repeated lying and the very serious siutation of hush money - the spin is that this is a moral crusade about who he sleeps with.

Jon Sopel's piece today highlights the curious and mind-bending Presidency which trades in falsehoods, misdirection and contradiction

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-44959300

4 ( +5 / -1 )

You've got to hand it to the Trump loyalists. Despite the focus on his repeated lying and the very serious siutation of hush money - the spin is that this is a moral crusade about who he sleeps with.

One thing that amazes me is that after seeing how annoying the tactics they used for eight years against Obama are, when those tactics are used against them, they are no just redefining anything bad Trump does as 'ok', not realizing that this is going to get thrown right back in their face when they try to manufacture outrage against anything they feel a Democratic leader does.

They really don't learn from their lessons. They just keep doubling down.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

English please.

I meant “impeachable” my bad.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

You've got to hand it to the Trump loyalists. Despite the focus on his repeated lying and the very serious siutation of hush money - the spin is that this is a moral crusade about who he sleeps with. 

I think it’s rather astounding how the left want to focus so much on the Presidents private life, but want to give a pass on their base that makes lying an Olympic sport.

Jon Sopel's piece today highlights the curious and mind-bending Presidency which trades in falsehoods, misdirection and contradiction

Ok and?

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

"We won't pay with cash?" Brass-faced Drumpf can always walk back and correct the transcript, explaining that what he really meant was "!", not "?"

What's that smell? The toast is burning!?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Toasted HereticToday  08:39 am JST

You've got to hand it to the Trump loyalists. Despite the focus on his repeated lying and the very serious siutation of hush money - the spin is that this is a moral crusade about who he sleeps with.

Expect them to stick to it as well. Rather than address the issue of the most serious alleged misdemeanours, which they can't as that means conceding the possibility that their man Trump is actually guilty, they'll just keep repeating the "whatever he did as a private citizen is none of our business," mantra because that's all they've got. That and whining endlessly about "the left" as that's in any way relevant in a discussion about a Republican president (moderators?).

Anyway, it's true that consensual acts committed years before Trump took office have nothing to do with his (horrible) job performance now. But is no one bothered that when he was a candidate for public office in 2016 people on his campaign team falsely denied any knowledge of the MacDougall affair or payments? He wasn't exactly a private citizen when that occurred.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

 the economy, Iran, China, Russia and NK are a lot more serious than who the man slept with.

For the umpteenth time, it's not about who he slept with. It's about paying somebody off with hush money just before a presidential election and not reporting it, which is a potential violation of campaign finance law. Ditto for the Stormy Daniel payment.

Even if some stories are "more serious" than this one, doesn't make it irrelevant. Campaign finance abuse is a pretty serious issue in democratic systems, particularly in one whose president seems to have little concern for its inherent values.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

More fake news right??:-/

1 ( +2 / -1 )

For the umpteenth time, it's not about who he slept with. It's about paying somebody off with hush money just before a presidential election and not reporting it, which is a potential violation of campaign finance law. Ditto for the Stormy Daniel payment.

According to Napolitano, Dershowitz and Turley pretty much said the same thing in a nutshell this isn’t really an impeachable offense. So what else can the left TRY and get the President on? Running out of things.

Even if some stories are "more serious" than this one, doesn't make it irrelevant. Campaign finance abuse is a pretty serious issue in democratic systems, particularly in one whose president seems to have little concern for its inherent values.

Yes, but given the hatred the left has of the man especially that loon Spliff if there were ANYTHING that could get Trump nailed on this, rest assured, we would have known by now. Cheerios time. Lol

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

plasticmonkeyToday  09:59 am JST

 "the economy, Iran, China, Russia and NK are a lot more serious than who the man slept with."

For the umpteenth time, it's not about who he slept with.

Doesn't matter how many times you tell them, they're too willfully or actually stupid to pay any notice.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

 in a nutshell this isn’t really an impeachable offense. So what else can the left TRY and get the President on? 

For the 45 Cultists "not impeachable" = "not worthy of investigation". Moral integrity = whatever you can get away with.

that loon Spliff

Spliff. Tee-hee. Just never stops being funny.

we would have known by now. Cheerios time. Lol

Again, moral integrity = whatever you can get away with. Hurray for my team! I win! Cheerios time!

Infantile.

3 ( +5 / -2 )

Doesn't matter how many times you tell them, they're too willfully or actually stupid to pay any notice

Then why do the left persist?

For the 45 Cultists "not impeachable" = "not worthy of investigation". Moral integrity = whatever you can get away with.

Hey, if Mueller wants to waste more of his time and the Dems want to howl more nothing’s to the wind, who am I to deny them that gratification?

Again, moral integrity = whatever you can get away with. Hurray for my team! I win! Cheerios time!

Infantile

I call it logical.

-2 ( +2 / -4 )

plasticmonkey - For the umpteenth time, it's not about who he slept with. It's about paying somebody off with hush money just before a presidential election and not reporting it

Then you must also be aware that no money was actually paid. Where does that leave your conspiracy theory?

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

Strangerland - Typical right-wing statement. Makes claim, then posts question asking someone to support their claim.

CNN has admitted that they have the recording. The question remains unanswered, how did CNN obtain this recording that CNN admits to having? Who leaked it? Who stole it? Who bought it? Inquiring minds want to know. Other minds, not so much.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

Most Americans as I said, don't care. Trump was a dirty lad before he was elected, no secret there. Now, if there is evidence that he has continued his adulterous ways SINCE being elected, that would be relevant.

The MSM pushing stories like this, at the expense of issues that actually matter, is largely why people turn to alternative sources of news. "Fake news" doesn't just mean making stuff up, it also means choosing what to spend airtime on. The media constantly going hysterical at every little foible only costs them credibility, and when something important actually happens, they won't have any righteous moral indignation left to spew.

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Most Americans as I said, don't care.

Yes they do.

if there is evidence that he has continued his adulterous ways SINCE being elected, that would be relevant.

Ahh, so it's only sleazy when one cheats on their wife and hushes it up if one does it when one is president, not when one does it before that. Gotcha. I hadn't realized the 'non-presidency' clause with the determination of sleaziness. Good to have an update on that.

Can you tell me, do the Christian rules of sleaziness also contain the 'non-presidency' clause, or is that just the Republican rules of sleaziness?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

CNN has admitted that they have the recording. The question remains unanswered, how did CNN obtain this recording that CNN admits to having?

Um no, the question does not remain unanswered at all. You look silly commenting without even bothering to read the article.

Who leaked it?

Again, read the article.

Who stole it?

It wasn't stolen.

Who bought it?

Probably CNN, but actually I have no idea if they paid money for it or not.

Inquiring minds want to know. Other minds, not so much.

And both are too lazy to bother fact-checking themselves, or even reading the articles they are commenting on.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

I also would like to point out that when Hillary's emails were hacked, the very posters who are questioning how CNN ended up with this tape were the ones who were claiming that the benefit to the public of knowing the contents of the emails outweighed the means by which they were obtained. Yet, they are now trying to discredit the "leaked" tape because they are unclear on how exactly it ended up in CNNs hands.

Now, that seems like very glaring hypocrisy to me. Or even hyper-partisanship.

Actually, upon further reflection, it doesn't just seem that way, that's how it actually is.

8 points to team red for questions to deflect the conversation, but a 12 point penalty for hyper-partisan hypocrisy. -4!

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Most Americans as I said, don't care.

A Wa-Po-ABC News poll in April, before these latest revelations, found that:

1 in 4 Republicans said that whether Trump had engaged in a pattern of sexual misconduct is an important issue. But among all adults, 51 percent say it is an important issue.

> This matters for a few reasons, including the fact that the majority of Americans are not Republicans, according to Gallup. And Republicans are already headed into the midterm elections with low approval ratings for their Republican-controlled White House and Congress, according to Gallup

So, it could be argued that most republicans don't care--but saying most Americans is quite a stretch. That said, is it going to top the list of things on voters' minds this November when they enter the ballot box, no. Ditto Russia. But it's not going to help either. As thrilling as the daily chaos might be at some pt. people are going to long for normalcy. Enjoy the show while it lasts.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

According to Reuters, even among Democrats the top election issues are: healthcare, the economy, and immigration (in that order). Morality or Russia don't even crack the list.

I wonder if you are aware that what you just posted does not support your assertion that 'Most Americans... don't care'. The best you can prove with your statement above is that it's not among the top things that some of the people care about. It does not prove anything about what they do not care about.

4 points to team blue for showing the opponents argument to be invalid.

Just the timing of the hush money payment?

Also pointing out how the president is a sleazebag. And that he's representing the American people.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

https://www.suffolk.edu/documents/SUPRC/3_1_2018_tables.pdf

"Russia collusion" ranked dead last for registered voters, with only .5% (half a percentage point!) calling it a top issue while any talk of impeachment garnered just 1.4%

The economy and immigration are overwhelmingly what Americans care about.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Also pointing out how the president is a sleazebag. And that he's representing the American people.

I know 3 other Presidents that were real sleazebags.

"Russia collusion" ranked dead last for registered voters, with only .5% (half a percentage point!) calling it a top issue while any talk of impeachment garnered just 1.4%

The economy and immigration are overwhelmingly what Americans care about.

The sad thing is, the left doesn’t get it, nor do they care.....well, they never cared about the economy or jobs, but they sure did love to take people’s money.

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Maybe people really don't care but wow Trump must be a useless judge of character if that's the case.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

The sad thing is, the left doesn’t get it, nor do they care.....well, they never cared about the economy or jobs, but they sure did love to take people’s money.

You posted a link the other day which said 59% of Americans don’t think Trump deserves to be re-elected. It seems the economy isn’t the only metric by which success is measured.

You also said that non-partisan historians regarded the Bush years as a success despite the economy flying off a cliff and unemployment going through the roof on his watch.

It seems many people don’t regard economic health as the only metric. You seem to be one of them as you agreed with the non-partisan historians on the Bush years.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I know 3 other Presidents that were real sleazebags.

The more important part of the story is the fraud.

The sad thing is, the left doesn’t get it, nor do they care.....well, they never cared about the economy or jobs, but they sure did love to take people’s money.

You know who talks about Russia collusion more than the left? Trump. What's that saying about the lady protesting to much?

2 ( +3 / -1 )

The sad thing is, the left doesn’t get it, nor do they care.....well, they never cared about the economy or jobs, but they sure did love to take people’s money.

For the love of god, that is not "the left." Don't mistake MSNBC or Nancy Pelosi or most of our resident liberal commenters for the left. Want to see how concerned people like me are with Playboy models or Putin, read The Intercept or Matt Stoller or David Sirota or Matt Taibbi. Look at what Ocasio-Cortez or Sanders or Warren or Ben Jealous have to say everyday. It's nearly 24/7 economic populism.

Do I think partisan democrats are far too focused on Trump's sex life or The Putin, yes, but I tell you what, most of the populist energy in the US at this moment is tilting left, and I sure don't mean towards Rachel Maddow. You keep going on about protecting your tinpot oligarch, maintaining that laser focus on protecting a poor, wrongly maligned elite like DT, and what you might find come November is that most Americans were less concerned than you think with demonstrating loyalty to a party or a politician.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

bass4funk: "I think it’s rather astounding how the left want to focus so much on the Presidents private life, but want to give a pass on their base that makes lying an Olympic sport."

Says they guy who STILL brings up Clinton to try and parry from Trump's infidenlity and immorality! And Trump is proven to be the biggest liar in American history of leaders. It's proven. You guys are Simply brainwashed. You LITERALLY complaind CONSTANTLY about the same things when Clinton cheated ONCE, and did it for YEARS. And now, just as I said you would, you talk about it being "private" and desperately try to deflect, and with lies to boot.

You guys are so desperate it's hilarious. And I bet you honestly Believe the BS about "no one being harder on Russia than Trump!" despite him literally siding with Putin over the US, and Believe his crap about Russia meddling in the next élections for the Dems, literally the day after he said there is no and has been no meddling (after flip-flopping on that, too).

2 ( +3 / -1 )

I think JC may be right that the young energy in the Democratic party is much more left/socialisty than before. Fortunately, that will work in the GOP's favor. The "s" word is still taboo in mainstream politics. If there is a split between the "old guard" of the Democrats and the new progressives, that can only be good for Trump.

As for Trump's indiscretions, perhaps I overstated when I said that Americans don't care. It's more accurate to say that they care far more about other issues than Russia or where Trump used to hide his salami. Also, the amount of media time devoted to irrelevant issues is insane. They are trying desperately to push the public to care more about issues that most people find tedious.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Also, the amount of media time devoted to irrelevant issues is insane.

Trump and the GOP fuels their insanity. They've just a few hours ago filed to impeach Rosenstein, the Republican overseer of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation that Trump himself appointed. You got to admit that reeks of desperation and panic.

They are trying desperately to push the public to care more about issues that most people find tedious.

See above about desperation and pushing the public to distrust and look the other way.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised – when Trump made the comment that he could literally shoot an innocent person on the street in 5th Avenue, and his supporters would still stand behind him, I thought he was being his typical over-bearing, obnoxious, bravado self. But looking how the Trump supporters on this thread overlook, down-play, or “spin” this clear lie, moral transgression, and possible crime, he was likely correct.

Trump, after saying time and time again that he did not have an affair with this playboy model, was caught on tape admitting to paying her off.   Trump’s ability to brazenly (and continually) lie bothers me – I was mad when Bill Clinton shook his finger and lied on national TV – never supported him again. He broke a solemn trust to the American people. 

This lie (and the over 3,000 others) bothers me just as much, but more importantly, it’s what it says about Trump's character – what kind of a man has an affair with a playboy model when his wife just gave birth to their son? You can’t “spin” that – it shows someone who lacks any kind of moral code or values. And how any evangelical Christian can warp this into a “but he supports our policies” argument is beyond reason. 

Couple this with his demonization of immigrants, support for white supremacists and child predators (Roy Moore), boasting of sexually assaulting women, and you have someone who is deeply flawed as a human being – deeply flawed….

He is our President, the leader of our nation, our spokesperson, someone who defines us as a nation – and we elected a fraudster, a habitual liar, an egomaniac, and someone lacking in any morals or shared values. That 30% of the American people can support and stand by such a man speaks volumes about their character and morals. The only silver lining is that they didn’t make this choice on their own – they were pushed and manipulated by a sophisticated Russian intelligence operation – and the sooner they realize that, the better.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Thank God it’s not really a crime. maybe not but it continues to show that Trump is a compulsive liar ,

no other POTUS has lied as much and as consistently as Trump, how can anybody believed what comes out of his mouth even when hes telling the truth!? because insinuations and claims of wrongdoings dont need proof in Trumps eyes

1 ( +2 / -1 )

AttilathehungryToday  01:14 pm JST

As for Trump's indiscretions, perhaps I overstated when I said that Americans don't care. It's more accurate to say that they care far more about other issues than Russia or where Trump used to hide his salami.

But that's not even the issue. What actually matters is that Trump's presidential campaign team denied all knowledge of the deal when he clearly knew exactly what was going on. It's slightly more important than his extramarital goings-on, which obviously matter a bit too otherwise he might have 'fessed up to them.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

The more important part of the story is the fraud.

OK, that may be, so she can sue the president and then what? How was that an impeachable offense?

You know who talks about Russia collusion more than the left? Trump.

Not accordng to the MSM, they bathe in everything Russian, I’m surprised they don’t speak it.

Trump and the GOP fuels their insanity. They've just a few hours ago filed to impeach Rosenstein,

And with good reason, Rosa Stein has not complied, has stalled, has given more excuses than anyone in history to not hang over all information that the oversight committee wants, he’s only given them what he wants and slow walk to everything else it’s enough, he is just a cop he’s overstepping his bounds, he should go, I hope so. He wants to stall and redact and not be forthcoming, then so be it. He made his bed, good luck.

the Republican overseer of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation that Trump himself appointed.

That fired Comey under his advice. Strange!

You got to admit that reeks of desperation and panic.

Yup, that’s why it seems the FBI is in scrambles and Rosenstein is going to be another causality of that desperation and panic.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

I'd love to know the mental hoops that Trump's gullibles have to force themselves to jump through in order to justify his lies, treason & criminality. Is there some kind of flow chart or checklist? Is there an upper limit, or can new stuff just be added to it and dismissed as 'normal' as it emerges?

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Collusion didn't work, obstruction didn't work, accusations of him being a traitor didn't work, so it's back once again to President Trump's sex life from more than a decade ago. It's only a matter of time before CNN hits their speed dial and call to the Creepy Porn Lawyer to have him explain all this to its low information viewers.

-6 ( +2 / -8 )

Collusion didn't work, obstruction didn't work, accusations of him being a traitor didn't work, so it's back once again to President Trump's sex life from more than a decade ago. It's only a matter of time before CNN hits their speed dial and call to the Creepy Porn Lawyer to have him explain all this to its low information viewers.

The only thing that works for the left is......gee, I really don’t know...a prayer perhaps? No, self belief? Lol

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

They were my idols.

what Bush the greatest warmonger family of the last 50yrs

Trump and morality which in itself is an oxymoron.

well he can agree on one thing then

0 ( +2 / -2 )

They were my idols. 

what Bush the greatest warmonger family of the last 50yrs

And zero terror attack on his watch until the end of his presidency.

Trump and morality which in itself is an oxymoron.

Not perfect, but at least he’s the President. Lol

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

The only thing that works for the left is......gee, I really don’t know -- comment

Leftists believe supporting MS-13 gang members is good, but law enforcement is bad, second quarter GDP growth expected to cross the 4 percent barrier is bad, but less than 2 percent aka, "the new normal" the previous 8 years is good; shrieking that an extramarital affair by a person 10 years before becoming president is bad, but a sitting president having an extramarital affair in the Oval Office is good. Liberals have the IQ hovering somewhere around that of a pencil eraser, so such thought patterns are to be expected.

-7 ( +0 / -7 )

No, I forgot, the left doesn’t believe in religion, but they do believe in preaching to others about Trump and morality which in itself is an oxymoron.

I know plenty of right wing folk who don't believe in a deity, either.

Try harder.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Liberals have the IQ hovering somewhere around that of a pencil eraser, so such thought patterns are to be expected.

Right wingers as a rule, all support child abusers. Just look at the Roy Moore fiasco.

See?

Ridiculous, innit.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

more manufactured outrage by liberals who like all Americans, don't care abut this non story.

But its fun watching them implode again and again as President Trumps approval ratings continue to climb through it all.

-8 ( +0 / -8 )

more manufactured outrage by liberals like all Americans, don't care abut this non story.

Not a liberal nor American, bro'. But every American I know/meet/work with be they Dem/Republican/whatever do care. Because of the lies this man spouts. The lies that you swallow and love.

So, your all Americans narrative - that be bs.

But its fun watching them implode again and again as President Trumps approval ratings continue to climb through it all.

You think? I reckons it's interesting, in a clinical way, to see the gullibles and apologists swarm sites like this to proclaim their lying treacherous Pres is beloved.

Hush money. Ring any bells?

Your fake PotUS is finished.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Liberals have the IQ hovering somewhere around that of a pencil eraser, so such thought patterns are to be expected. yet the large majority of the welfare lower class states at the low end of the wage spectrum are Red states.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

more manufactured outrage by liberals who like all Americans, don't care abut this non story.

You wish all 'Murican's think like you apparently. Reality check in November bud. Hopefully impeachment proceedings for 45 right after that. And this is coming from a native born US non-partisan (not liberal) citizen. Not those "liberal's dems, illegal voters" rhetoric you hopelessly cling to. Trump cultists are such a cult of personality... and Trump has the worst personality anyone could ever have as POTUS.

I don't care about the story per se, but Trumps credibility and integrity has never been their and stories like this especially with evidence that keeps being presented shows that he has never had any credibility nor integrity. This point keeps being driven home and ignored by only the most blind faith loyalists of Trump. And it's so bad that it was carried with him into the white house, a place he should never have been allowed into in the first place.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Where can you still get actual tapes? (Outside Japan)

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

You can’t...

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Trump behaving immorally, and then lying about it? I am shocked! Shocked, I tell you! Who could have believed that he was capable of such behavior, besides everyone with a functioning brain on the planet.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

1glenn:

But Trump didn't lie. When he was on the plane and was asked by a reporter if he knew about any payments, he said he didn't know about it. But when he said 'did not', he mis-spoke and what he really meant was 'did'. He'll tell us that tomorrow.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I wonder how Melania Trump is doing after learning about this affair? The woman can only take so much infidelity. However, we may never know unless they divorce and she tells her side of the story. It seems she is the real victim in all this. However this is not new news in Trumps timeline of questionable sexiest behavior.

Did you (we the people) care when Bill Clinton did his thing with Monica?

I could list a few. But whats the point? Since 1776 this has been going on in American politics.

Here are the facts. Dating back since 1776. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_federal_political_sex_scandals_in_the_United_States

I have become so numb on the chesting issues from our politicians It just does not pack a punch anymore. As far as the decline and (we have no knowledge) during the campaign. All politicians lie. Plausible deniability is the name of the game in realm of the beltway. At the end of the day. It will be in voters hands next election. Articles of impeachment at this point are worthless. I am Republican. I am done with the man. To shady for me. He will not get my vote for re-election. Here is why.

The Canada thing.

The Brexit thing.

The Russian thing.

The wall thing. Opposed to that hard core now. (disaster in the making)

The public speaking thing and the constant repeating. Not fair to American tax payers! American tax payers! Like that Jimmy two times character from the movie Good fellas. "get the papers" " get the papers"

The Ego.

But most of all the darn Tweeting is downright annoying!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

It's too embarrassing for many Trump supporters to admit they were wrong so they keep up the Trump BS Show just like Chump himself!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Here’s a question.

If its true that Trump payed hush money to women so that they would keep quiet about past affairs, and if it’s true that Trump knew that members of his campaign met with foreigners who said they had damaging information about Hillary, does that mean he should go to jail? Be made to step down? Then Democrats would be happy, and Pence would be President?

also this. If Hillary had won the election and were President now, and it were discovered that she had lesbian affairs and she or her lawyer had paid the women to be quiet - and if a Russian had met with her people saying they had info about Trump, would Democrats now be saying she should resign, be impeached, go to jail etc?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Trump is such a slimeball.

Just like President Clinton with his affairs.

What exactly happened to Clinton? Lots of news, but nothing really. It isn't illegal in the USA to cheat on your wife and lying about sex is fine everywhere in the world.

Paying someone off through a lawyer is something Trump learned doing real estate deals in NYC, I suppose. Clinton didn't need another lawyer, he had his wife, which provides double protection (lawyer and wife).

Why is it that people who want power are all slimeballs? I'd never want that job.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

His wife and children must be so proud of him.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

CNN? Its a joke now. Its credibility is long gone.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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