In 2018, the world learned about a rumoured relationship between former President Donald Trump and model Karen McDougal. According to the Wall Street Journal, McDougal was given $150,000 for the rights to her story by American Media, Inc., the parent firm of the National Enquirer, but it was never published. Let’s look at the specifics of this controversy, including the “catch and kill” strategy used to suppress McDougal’s tale and its effect on Trump’s administration.
Who is Karen McDougal, the Model in Question?
Karen McDougal was a former model named Playmate of the Year in 1998. She has also starred in some films and has been featured in several exercise publications. McDougal is a qualified Pilates teacher and has worked as a fitness model.
The Alleged Affair between Donald Trump and Karen McDougal
McDougal said she had an affair with Donald Trump in 2006, shortly after his wife Melania gave birth to their son Barron. The experience allegedly lasted about ten months, including numerous rendezvous at Trump properties, including the Beverly Hills Hotel.
McDougal stated that she ended the relationship after feeling guilty about the affair and that Trump tried to pay her after their first s***al encounter. Trump has denied the experience, and his lawyers have stated that any suggestion of a relationship between the two is “totally untrue.”
ABC News
The “Catch and Kill” Method and Its Role in the Scandal
The National Enquirer’s parent company, American Media, Inc. (AMI), allegedly paid Karen McDougal $150,000 for the exclusive rights to her story of the alleged affair with Donald Trump. However, the company never published the report, effectively suppressing it.
AMI has been accused of using a practice known as “catch and kill” to suppress stories that could be damaging to its friends and allies, including President Trump. AMI allegedly paid McDougal to keep silent about the affair, then buried the story to safeguard Trump’s image.
The Impact of the Karen McDougal Scandal on Donald Trump’s Presidency
The Karen McDougal scandal was just one of many controversies surrounding Donald Trump during his presidency. The disgrace and the alleged affair with Stormy Daniels spotlighted Trump’s personal life and raised questions about his character.
The accusations also landed Trump and his allies in hot water. Michael Cohen, Trump’s longtime personal counsel, pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations connected to payments made to McDougal and Daniels in 2018. Cohen claimed that he made the payments at Trump’s request, which Trump has disputed.
The controversy has also harmed the National Enquirer’s image, which has been accused of immoral and possibly criminal behaviour in its efforts to protect Trump. David Pecker, the editor of the National Enquirer, allegedly had a close connection with Trump and was engaged in the “catch and kill” strategy used to conceal McDougal’s tale.
In conclusion, the alleged affair between Donald Trump and Karen McDougal, and the subsequent efforts to suppress the story, brought to light the practice of “catch and kill” and raised questions about the ethic.
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