President Trump’s personal lawyer admitted on Tuesday that he paid off a porn star who allegedly had an affair with his boss — but insisted that the payout was his own money and not connected to the Trump Organization or the presidential campaign.
Michael D. Cohen said in a statement to The New York Times that he paid Stormy Daniels $130,000 in 2016 — but did not give the newspaper a further explanation about why the payment was made.
“Neither the Trump Organization nor the Trump campaign was a party to the transaction with Ms. Clifford, and neither reimbursed me for the payment, either directly or indirectly,” the statement read. Stephanie Clifford’s stage name is Stormy Daniels.
“The payment to Ms. Clifford was lawful, and was not a campaign contribution or a campaign expenditure by anyone.”
Cohen would not respond to any follow-up questions about the payment.
The Wall Street Journal reported in January that Daniels was paid for her silence when she threatened to come forward with details of hotel room romps with Trump in 2006.
InTouch Magazine published a dated interview of Daniels’ account, but she has dodged questions about the alleged affair in recent weeks.