WSJ: National Enquirer Withheld Piece About Alleged Trump Affair After Paying $150K For Story
- 8 years ago
The Wall Street Journal is claiming that the National Enquirer’s parent company paid 1998 Playboy Playmate of the Year Karen McDougal $150,000 for her story about an alleged affair with Donald Trump in 2006.
The parent company of the National Enquirer is said to have paid a woman to tell her story despite not releasing it, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The publication is reporting that in early August, American Media Inc., or AMI, allegedly agreed to pay 1998 Playboy Playmate of the Year Karen McDougal $150,000 for details about a consensual affair she claims to have had with Trump in 2006.
The businessman married his current wife Melania in 2005.
Despite the alleged deal, AMI has not yet released McDougal’s story about their relationship.
Based on relevant documents and knowledgeable sources, the Journal reports that the piece was quashed, noting that this strategy is “known in the tabloid world as ‘catch and kill.’"
The tabloid's support of Trump has been suspected as a possible reason; in March, it issued a strong endorsement of him with a piece titled, 'Trump Must Be President.'
In response to the recent story, the media company has stated that “AMI has not paid people to kill damaging stories about Mr. Trump.”
Instead, AMI says it paid McDougal, as the Journal writes, for “two years’ worth of her fitness columns and magazine covers as well as exclusive life rights to any relationship she has had with a then-married man.”
The Trump campaign has denied the affair and any knowledge of the deal.
The parent company of the National Enquirer is said to have paid a woman to tell her story despite not releasing it, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The publication is reporting that in early August, American Media Inc., or AMI, allegedly agreed to pay 1998 Playboy Playmate of the Year Karen McDougal $150,000 for details about a consensual affair she claims to have had with Trump in 2006.
The businessman married his current wife Melania in 2005.
Despite the alleged deal, AMI has not yet released McDougal’s story about their relationship.
Based on relevant documents and knowledgeable sources, the Journal reports that the piece was quashed, noting that this strategy is “known in the tabloid world as ‘catch and kill.’"
The tabloid's support of Trump has been suspected as a possible reason; in March, it issued a strong endorsement of him with a piece titled, 'Trump Must Be President.'
In response to the recent story, the media company has stated that “AMI has not paid people to kill damaging stories about Mr. Trump.”
Instead, AMI says it paid McDougal, as the Journal writes, for “two years’ worth of her fitness columns and magazine covers as well as exclusive life rights to any relationship she has had with a then-married man.”
The Trump campaign has denied the affair and any knowledge of the deal.