A lawyer for the president, Michael Cohen, reportedly arranged a $130,000 payment to prevent an adult film star from talking during the election about an alleged consensual sexual encounter she had with Trump in 2006, the Wall Street Journal reported on Friday.
Stephanie Clifford, who performs as Stormy Daniels, was photographed with Trump at a July 2006 golf event in Lake Tahoe. Afterward, Trump met with Clifford and two other women in a hotel suite, where he kissed them, the Journal reported.
In statements to BuzzFeed News, Clifford and Cohen denied Trump and Clifford had a sexual encounter.
The alleged encounter was publicly discussed by adult film star Jessica Drake in October 2016, when she accused the president of kissing her without her consent. Drake said Trump also repeatedly propositioned her, offering $10,000 and the use of his private jet for her to come to his suite.
"His words and actions are a huge testament to his character — that of uncontrollable misogyny, entitlement, and being a sexual assault apologist," Drake said at an October 2016 press conference with her attorney Gloria Allred.
Drake did go to Trump's suite, but she said she did not sleep with him. She brought two friends along with her because she felt uncomfortable going alone, she said.
Jessica Drake with her attorney, Gloria Allred, during a news conference Oct. 22, 2016.
Ryan Kang / AP
In the press conference, Drake did not identify the other two women, who also worked in the industry. According to the Journal, one of them was Clifford, who negotiated the payment and nondisclosure agreement the same month that Drake came forward publicly.
Michael Cohen, Trump's lawyer who, according to the Journal, arranged the payment, denied the report in a statement on Friday to BuzzFeed News.
Gregg Deguire / WireImage
"These rumors have circulated time and again since 2011," he said. "President Trump once again vehemently denies any such occurrence as has Ms. Daniels.”
A separate statement, which Cohen provided and said was signed by Stormy Daniels, said the adult film star's relationship with Trump did not go further than several public appearances. Daniels appeared at the launch of Trump Vodka in 2007.
"When I met Donald Trump, he was gracious, professional, and a complete gentleman to me and EVERYONE in my presence," the statement said. "Rumors that I have received hush money from Donald Trump are completely false. If I indeed did have a relationship with Donald Trump, trust me, you wouldn't be reading about it in the news, you would be reading about it in my book. But the fact of the matter is, these stories are not true."
Michael Cohen
This is a developing story. Check back for updates and follow BuzzFeed News on Twitter.
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