Getting money to Stormy to clam up about their hookup
The new court records show the panic from the Daniels blowup had started to subside in Trump world by the end of October 2016, as the hush money deal was completed and a non-disclosure agreement was inked by both parties.
However, within a few days, another headache arose.
On Nov. 4, 2016, Cohen got wind that The Wall Street Journal was going to publish a story alleging the National Enquirer had “shielded” Trump by buying the rights to ex-Playboy model Karen McDougal’s claims that she also had sex with Trump in 2006, only to never publish anything on the matter.
“(Trump) is pissed,” Cohen texted Howard, the AMI executive who also doubled as the National Enquirer’s content chief, according to the court papers. Howard texted back, “I’m pissed!”
“You’re pissed. Pecker is pissed. Keith is pissed. Not much we can do,” Howard continued, referring to his fellow AMI executive and Keith Davidson, an attorney who represented McDougal in her hush deal worth $150,000.
After the Journal story on McDougal broke, Cohen commiserated with Hicks.
“So far I see only 6 stories. Getting little to no traction,” Cohen texted.
Hicks wrote back, “Same. Keep praying!! It’s working!”
Four days later, Trump was elected president.
He continues to deny ever having sex with Daniels or McDougal.
Cohen, who’s currently serving a three-year prison sentence, pleaded guilty to campaign finance crimes because of the Daniels deal, as it was considered an in-kind and illegal political contribution.
Federal prosecutors have implicated Trump and several others in the illegal scheme — even stating in court papers that Cohen “acted in coordination with and at the direction” of the president in issuing the $130,000 payment, which was reimbursed by the Trump Organization under false pretenses that it was a legal expense.
Nonetheless, no one but Cohen has been charged.
The Manhattan U.S. Attorney’s office said in a status report Thursday that they’ve concluded their investigation into the matter, likely meaning there will be no more charges.
That’s despite Hicks having explicitly told congressional committees and FBI agents that she didn’t know anything about the Daniels payoff until November 2016 — which the new records suggest could have been a lie.
Trump may have been saved from charges because longstanding Justice Department policy states sitting presidents can’t be criminally indicted.
The decision to not prosecute Hicks or others involved in the lewd plot raised suspicion from Trump critics.
“There are still a great many questions unanswered by the documents made public today, including Trump’s legal exposure when he leaves office, but one of the most immediate concerns to me is the involvement, if any, of Attorney General (William) Barr,” said House Intelligence Chairman Adam Schiff (D-Calif.)
“Barr has demonstrated there are no lengths to which he will not go to protect the president, and I believe it is of paramount importance to determine if he had any involvement in the SDNY’s investigation or sought to bring it to a close.”
Cohen, meanwhile, was incredulous.
“I and members of The Trump Organization were directed by Mr. Trump to handle the Stormy Daniels matter; including making the hush money payment,” the previously hyper-loyal Trump fixer, who’s serving his sentence in an upstate New York prison, said in a statement provided by a representative. “The conclusion of the investigation exonerating The Trump Organization’s role should be of great concern to the American people and investigated by Congress.”