| | | | Michael Cohen's story on his Stormy Daniels payout doesn't pass the smell test | | | Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's personal lawyer, says he made a $130,000 payment from his own pocket to porn star Stormy Daniels in the run-up to the 2016 election -- a pre-emptive measure to protect the presidential candidate from accusations that she and Trump had a physical relationship. To make this six-figure payment, Cohen set up an LLC in Delaware, a state famous for its lack of corporate transparency. He says he neither told Trump nor anyone else in the Trump Organization he was making the payment. And he was not paid back in any way, shape or form.
"Just because something isn't true doesn't mean that it can't cause you harm or damage," Cohen said in a statement issued Tuesday night. "I will always protect Mr. Trump." That's the story Cohen told The New York Times' Maggie Haberman on Tuesday night. By any standard of logic, it's a very, very hard one to swallow. Don't overthink it. Cohen -- out of the goodness of his heart!!!! -- dropped a six-figure payment to a porn star even though he didn't believe her allegations that she and the President had an affair after the birth of his son Barron? I mean, come on. People don't do that. I don't care how rich Cohen is. Why would he spend $130,000 to make Daniels go away -- and not tell her story -- if her story was fundamentally without merit?
Remember that the 2016 campaign saw more than a dozen women come forward with allegations, which Trump has denied, that Trump had either sexually assaulted them or acted inappropriately toward them over his decades in public life. Why would Cohen feel compelled to cut a massive check to a porn star -- from his own coffers -- who was making false allegations of an affair?
Right. I thought so.
The Point: Sometimes you have to rely on your gut. Your BS detector. And none of Cohen's story passes that smell test. Not even close.
Read my full take here.
-- Chris | | 🚨STORMY'S STORY, COMING SOON🚨 | | CNN's Sophie Tatum and Sara Sidner report:
"A manager for the porn star who was reportedly paid $130,000 by President Donald Trump's personal lawyer claims the agreement between the two is no longer valid.
Gina Rodriguez, a manager for Stephanie Clifford, who is also known as Stormy Daniels, said Wednesday that Clifford believes Michael Cohen voided the non-disclosure agreement with her by admitting he paid Clifford $130,000. Rodriguez added: 'Everything is off now, and Stormy is going to tell her story.'
The Associated Press first reported Wednesday that Clifford now believes she is free to talk about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump."
Read more in CNN's story here. | |  | | After being briefed on the shooting at the Stoneman Douglas High School in South Florida, President Donald Trump tweeted "prayers and condolences" to victims. "Just spoke to Governor Rick Scott. We are working closely with law enforcement on the terrible Florida school shooting," he wrote in a second tweet. The White House briefing was canceled in the wake of the shooting. | | | In honor of Valentine's Day, Spotify shared lists of its 10 most popular songs in four themed categories: "love," "sex," "heartache" and "anti-Valentine's." | | | The Point is now on Instagram, thanks to CNN's Brenna Williams. Click on CNN Politics' Instagram story every Monday through Friday afternoon for more #content. | | MOTHERHOOD ON SEN. DUCKWORTH'S MIND | | CNN'S Andrew Dunn reported: "In an interview that aired Wednesday on Politico's 'Women Rule' podcast, Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Illinois Democrat, opened up about the challenges she prepares to face in raising a newborn while continuing her senatorial duties. She is expecting her second child in the spring.
'I'm even being told right now that I can't technically take maternity leave,' Duckworth said, 'because if I take maternity leave, then I won't be allowed to sponsor legislation or vote during that time period.'
She vowed some Senate rules will change 'because I'm going to make sure' they change, she said, 'so that other legislators behind me can continue to do their jobs but also look after their families.'" | | Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren defended her claims of Native American heritage and responded to the nickname President Donald Trump uses to refer to her -- "Pocahontas" -- in a surprise appearance Wednesday at a National Congress of American Indians event..
"I get why some people think there's hay to be made here. You won't find my family members on any rolls, and I'm not enrolled in a tribe," Warren said Wednesday, according to the prepared text of her remarks, which was first obtained by the Boston Globe. (Read more in CNN's story by Eric Bradner here).
In other #2020 related news ... New Jersey Democratic Sen. Cory Booker announced he will no longer accept contributions from corporate PACs. The news follows New York Democratic Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand making the same pledge.
"I heard from constituents today asking about corporate PAC contributions. I'm joining several of my colleagues & no longer accepting these contributions," Booker tweeted. "Our campaign finance system is broken. I thank @StopBigMoney for their work -- it's time to pass campaign finance reform."
Booker also announced on Twitter that he and Gillibrand are teaming up to cosponsor the Marijuana Justice Act. | | TRUMP BREAKS SILENCE ON MATTER OF SPOUSAL ABUSE | | CNN's Kevin Liptak reported Wednesday:
"President Donald Trump broke days of silence on the matter of spousal abuse, saying on Wednesday he was opposed to all manner of domestic violence. 'I'm totally opposed to domestic violence. And everybody here knows that,' Trump said in the Oval Office. 'I'm totally opposed to domestic violence of any kind. Everyone knows that. And it almost wouldn't even have to be said. So, now you hear it, but you all know.'
Trump had remained silent on his views toward domestic violence as a controversy has swirled over former White House aide Rob Porter, who was accused of abusing his ex-wives. Porter denies all the allegations against him."
Read the full story here. | | SPEAKING OF ROB PORTER... | | During an interview with Axios' Mike Allen, Vice President Mike Pence says the White House could have handled Porter's employment better.
"This administration has no tolerance for domestic violence, nor should any American," he said. "As I said, and as the White House has said, I think the White House could have handled this better. And I still feel that way. That being said, any more counsel I have on this I'll share with the President of the United States."
During the interview, he also touched on his proximity to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister Kim Yo Jong at the opening of Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang. "I didn't avoid the dictator's sister, but I did ignore her," he said. "I didn't believe it was proper for the United States of America to give any countenance" to "the leader of the propaganda effort," he added. | | | No GIF today out of respect for victims of the high school shooting in Florida. We hope you enjoy the rest of your Valentine's Day with loved ones. | | We'd love to share our other newsletters with you. Follow this link for daily coverage of the world's top stories, savvy market insights, an insider's look into the media, and more. Our authors for The Point are Chris Cillizza and Saba Hamedy. Send your tips and thoughts via email to Chris or Saba. Follow on Twitter: Chris and Saba. | | | | | | |
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