Who is Karen McDougal? Key witness in Trump's hush money trial

Donald Trump was secretly taped by his longtime lawyer, Michael Cohen, discussing payments to Playboy model Karen McDougal.

Published on: Apr 24, 2024, 17:50:22 IST

By HT News Desk

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As Donald Trump's hush money trial enters week two lawyers are gearing up to interrogate witnesses, and on top of the list is former Playboy model, Karen McDougal.

Donald Trump was secretly taped by his longtime lawyer, Michael Cohen, discussing payments to Playboy model Karen McDougal, with whom he allegedly had an affair, and the recording is in FBI hands. (AFP)

Although Trump's charges don't directly implicate Karen, her potential testimony adds intrigue to the trial.

Who is Karen McDougal?

Karen is a former Playboy model and claims she had an affair with Trump for 10 months in 2006. He has been accused of getting his lawyer Michael Cohen to negotiate a ‘catch and kill’ deal with McDougal via US tabloid National Enquirer. It's been alleged that tabloid paid the playboy model $150,000 for the rights to her story, which Trump tacitly funded through Cohen.

Unaware of the specifics of the deal Karen later sued the tabloid which was also fined $187,500 by the Federal Election Commission for issuing the payment with the intent of influencing the election.

"AMI (owner of National Enquirer) lied to me, made empty promises and repeatedly intimidated and manipulated me," McDougal said in a statement. "I just want the opportunity to set the record straight and move on with my life, free from this company, its executives and its lawyers."

How will Karen's testimony impact Trump's case?

National Enquirer's former owner David Pecker will be questioned over tabloid's “catch-and-kill” strategy which focussed on company's tactic of routinely paying for scandalous stories that it didn’t publish. These stories included anti-Trump stories that were purchased and not published.

As AMI CEO, in 2015 Pecker allegedly met Trump and his personal lawyer, Cohen, to “help deal with negative stories about Trump” by purchasing them and not publishing them.

Facts around Karen's story will prove prosecution's argument that Trump had been working hand in glove with tabloids to scuttle negative news.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More