Donald Trump changes story, acknowledges pay-off to Stormy Daniels
What's the story
In three tweets, Donald Trump acknowledged money was paid to adult movie star Stormy Daniels, but it shouldn't be considered a campaign contribution.
The US President said actress Stephanie Clifford (Daniels) was paid by Michael Cohen, through a monthly retainer.
The fresh statements are in sharp contradiction to Trump's earlier words where he claimed he knew nothing of the $13,000 Cohen paid to Daniels.
Trump's version
Trump's tweets come after Giuliani's explosive interview
Trump's newly appointed attorney Rudolph W. Giuliani took Trump advisors by surprise when in an interview with the 'President-friendly channel' Fox News, he divulged details about the pay-off.
Steering off script, Giuliani told Sean Hannity, Cohen attempted to ward off the controversy by paying Stormy Daniels.
As many watched agog, Giuliani said the revelation wasn't a slip of tongue but was planned.
Details
Giuliani says Trump knew he would make the disclosure
As Hannity and many others were reeling from the explosive interview, Giuliani said, "He was well aware that at some point when I saw the opportunity, I was going to get this over with."
"That removes the campaign finance violation, and we have all the documentary proof for it," Giuliani said.
He also said Trump didn't know the specifics of the arrangement.
Twitter Post
Such arrangements common among wealthy, tweets Trump
...very common among celebrities and people of wealth. In this case it is in full force and effect and will be used in Arbitration for damages against Ms. Clifford (Daniels). The agreement was used to stop the false and extortionist accusations made by her about an affair,......
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 3, 2018
Her version
Stormy 'Storm': The pay-off, Cohen's involvement and more
Stormy Daniels was paid $130,000 in October 2016, days before the November Presidential Elections, to stop her from damaging the then Republican candidate's campaign, by talking about a 2006 'affair'.
Cohen faces Federal investigation for campaign finance law violation for the payment.
In this scenario, Guiliani's statement can be seen to assert no campaign laws were violated, which could've otherwise raised legal-issues for Trump.