LEGAL/MICHAEL COHEN/TRUMP AS PRESIDENT/WOMEN: “MIchael Cohen taped a conversation in person with Donald Trump in which the two men discussed buying the rights to a former Playboy Playmate’s story that she had an affair with Mr. Trump more than a decade ago, according to people familiar with the matter. The conversation, between the then-GOP presidential nominee and his longtime personal lawyer, took place in September 2016, the people said. That was a month after American Media Inc., the publisher of the National Enquirer, bought the life rights to Karen McDougal’s story of the extramarital affair, which she has said began in 2006 and lasted nearly a year. Representatives of Mr. Trump have denied the affair took place. In the conversation, Mr. Cohen told Mr. Trump about the American Media deal and suggested that they consider acquiring the rights to Ms. McDougal’s story themselves, the people with knowledge of the matter said. Mr. Trump, appearing open to the suggestion, asked how to proceed and whether he should write a check or pay in another manner, they said. It isn’t clear why Mr. Cohen and Mr. Trump didn’t ultimately acquire the rights from American Media. A company spokesman didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.”
–Rebecca Ballhaus, Michael Rothfeld and Joe Palazzolo, “Michael Cohen Taped Conversation With Trump About Buying Rights to Playmate’s Story,” The Wall Street Journal, July 20, 2018 3:47 pm