As we reported days ago, Donald Trump was caught on tape discussing payouts related to former Playboy model Karen McDougal, with whom he allegedly had an affair.
Now, CNN has obtained one of the dozen tapes that were seized by prosecutors from the office of former Trump attorney Michael Cohen.
It might not be a "smoking gun" for collusion, but … many believe that it may be evidence that campaign finance laws were violated.
In September of 2016, just months before that fateful election night, Trump met with Michael Cohen, who recorded their conversation.
"The recording offers the public a glimpse at the confidential discussions between Trump and Cohen," CNN says.
CNN continues, saying that based upon their analysis, "it confirms the man who now occupies the Oval Office had contemporaneous knowledge of a proposal to buy the rights to the story of Karen McDougal."
CNN goes on to describe how McDougal is "a woman who has alleged she had an extramarital affair with Trump about a decade ago."
The reason for which this is a big deal is that Trump paying to silence someone, directly or indirectly, may be an election law violation.
Trump can be heard saying: "I need to open up a company for the transfer of all of that info regarding our friend David."
David Pecker is the head of American Media, which controls the National Enquirer, the entity that purchased and then buried Karen McDougal"s story.
Now, not all of the discussion is relevant to payouts to Karen McDougal. But when financing comes up again later, Trump refers to it.
Cohen can be heard saying: "When it comes time for the financing, which will be …"
"What financing?" Trump asks, interrupting Cohen.
"We"ll have to pay," Cohen is heard explaining.
Here is where the low quality of the recording makes things tricky.
It sounds like Trump is saying "pay with cash," but some have argued that he is saying "don"t pay with cash."
Cohen argues, saying "no, no," but it is difficult to tell exactly what is said next.
Based upon everyone"s analysis, it sounds like Trump is either saying "Pay with cash" or "Don"t pay with cash."
It looks like there is going to be some debate over what exactly he said.
It was Cohen"s attorney Lanny Davis who provided the recording to CNN.
Cohen was Trump"s attorney for a long time and previously stated that he would take a bullet for Trump.
However, in recent weeks, he has stated that he would like to put his country first and cooperate with prosecutors.
This has left Trump deeply unsettled, resulting in some of his infamous Twitter ravings.
"Inconceivable that the government would break into a lawyer’s office (early in the morning)," Trump wrote on Twitter on July 21.
"Almost unheard of," Trump claims. "Even more inconceivable that a lawyer would tape a client – totally unheard of & perhaps illegal."
"The good news," Trump continues. "Is that your favorite President did nothing wrong!"
Let"s say that further analysis of this tape proves, conclusively, that Donald Trump broke our election laws by making payouts to keep McDougal silent.
What now?
Obviously, Melania is once again embarrassed, but after her "I don"t really care, do u?" stunt, few in the public really care about her feelings any more than her husband does.
Ultimately, it is the job of Congress to impeach and then convict a sitting President. It is believed that no one else can do that.
Unfortunately, many within the GOP — though personally unhappy with Trump — are unwilling to take the necessary steps towards impeachment for two reasons.
One, because they are happy to have him appoint idealogues to the Supreme Court and other positions. In other words, their interests align with his.
Two, because they fear that moving against him will cost them reelection.
After everything that he"s already done, from praising Nazis as "good people" to the Helsinki summit, it is difficult to imagine what, if anything, would prompt Republicans in the legislature to take action.
But … all of this evidence could all be valuable ammunition if the fabled "Blue Wave" for which so many Americans hope actually happens this November.
