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Report: Porn star paid to keep quiet about encounter with Trump

Photo: Mark Wilson / Getty Images

President Trump's attorney, Michael Cohen, arranged for former adult film star Stephanie Clifford (whose stage name is Stormy Daniels) to be paid $130,000 in October 2016 to keep her from "publicly discussing an alleged sexual encounter with Mr. Trump," the Wall Street Journal reports, citing people familiar with the matter.

Why it matters: Trump was accused by multiple women of sexual harassment and misconduct during his campaign, all of which have been denied by Trump and his team. Cohen told the Journal that Trump "vehemently denies any such occurrences as has Ms. Daniels."

  • Clifford says she met Trump at a celebrity golf tournament in July 2006, and the alleged encounter took place after that.
  • Per the Journal, it isn't clear if Trump is aware of any payments or agreements made involving Clifford.
  • Clifford was reportedly discussing a possible appearance on Good Morning America in the fall of 2016, WSJ reports.

Go deeper

Axios
7 mins ago - World

NYT: Biden won't immediately remove U.S. tariffs on China

President-elect Joe Biden during an event in Wilmington, Delaware, on Tuesday. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

President Trump's 25% tariffs imposed on China under the phase one trade deal will remain in place at the start of the new administration, President-elect Biden said in an interview with the New York Times published early Wednesday.

Details: "I'm not going to make any immediate moves, and the same applies to the tariffs," Biden said. He plans to conduct a full review of the current U.S. policy on China and speak with key allies in Asia and Europe to "develop a coherent strategy," he said.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Axios
3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Trump threatens to veto Defense spending bill over social media shield

Photo: Erin Schaff - Pool/Getty Images

President Trump tweeted Tuesday a threat to veto a must-pass end-of-year $740 billion bill defense-spending authorization bill unless Congress repeals a federal law that protects social media sites from legal liability.

Why it matters: Trump's attempt to get Congress to end the tech industry protections under Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act is the latest escalation in his war on tech giants over what he and some other Republicans perceive as bias against conservatives.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Margaret Talev, Kadia Goba
3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

The walls close in on Trump

Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

With Bill Barr's "Et tu, Brute!" interview with AP, President Trump is watching the walls close in on his claims of fraud, hoaxes and conspiracies.

Why it matters: Trump and his legal team continue to claim election fraud. But the Republican governors of Arizona and Georgia have certified their elections, a loyalist like Barr has weighed in, and lower-ranking officials have taken potshots.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow