WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump has never ceased to be consistent about Michael Cohen and pay money to alleged ex-mistresses.

Since the spring, Trump has denied knowing of any payment to a woman claiming to have been a mistress of what appears to be apparent recognition – and claims that they would not be illegal under any circumstances.

Trump left with widespread denial among the first reports that a payment of $ 130,000 in pocket money would have been paid to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. During a trip aboard Air Force One on April 6, Trump told reporters that they "should interview Michael Cohen" about payments to the film actress for adults.

In recent months, Trump has essentially confirmed these payments.

In May, Trump and his lawyers began saying that Cohen had received a monthly provision from which he had made payments for non-disclosure agreements like the one with Daniels.

During a tweet storm on May 3rd. Trump said: "Mr. Cohen, a lawyer, received a monthly allowance, not from the campaign and having nothing to do with the campaign, from which he concluded, by repayment, a private contract between two parties, referred to as

Trump stated that these agreements are "very common among celebrities and wealthy people", and that "it was a private agreement."

In July, however, CNN broadcast recorded evidence that Trump was

On the tape, we can hear Trump and Cohen discuss the project to create a company that will buy the rights to a Playboy model story, Karen McDougal, about his alleged relationship with Trump. The company would buy the rights of American Media, publisher of the National Enquirer.

On Twitter, Trump asserted – without proof – that the tape was somehow falsified: "Why was the tape interrupted so abruptly that I was probably saying positive things ? "

He provides no explanation for the discussion of apparent gain.

Trump began to assert that the payment of these payments was not a crime in August, after Cohen pleaded guilty for tax evasion, bank fraud and campaign financing violations.

After a tweet mocking his former lawyer – "if someone is looking for a good lawyer, I strongly suggest you not to hire Michael Cohen!" – Trump argued that it was a civil dispute

He then tweeted: "Michael Cohen pleads guilty to two campaign leaders." Funding violations that are not a crime. President Obama had a big violation of campaign funding and this was easily solved! "

Cohen pleaded guilty to guilt charges because of the magnitude of the payments and the fact that they had been informed by avoiding the campaign- finance laws. Cohen establishes invoices and schedules for payments.

But the Federal Electoral Commission deals with minor offenses related to campaign financing, in which the actions are not voluntary, with civil penalties that are usually fines.

Trump tweeted Tuesday comparing his situation to that of President Barack Obama's 2008 campaign. The FEC condemned the Obama campaign for a $ 375,000 fine for violating legal deadlines for reporting important donations late in the campaign, pointing out incorrect dates for certain contributions, and not returning excessive donations quickly enough.

Analysts said the charges against Trump were sufficient. A federal prosecutor, Renato Mariotti, said the violation by Obama "consisted of not submitting certain forms in time", while Trump's allegations were underestimated. involve significant payments through front companies and his lawyer.

"The first is negligent and the last is conscious and voluntary," he said. "That's the difference – the state of mind required."

On Friday, federal prosecutors in New York City said that Cohen had admitted to acting "in coordination with and under the direction of" Trump, who was making payments to the two women, and that neither of the two S & P's Addressing the press before the elections.

More: President Trump defends payments to women as a "private transaction"

More: Robert Mueller: Cohen Provided Key Details to Investigating the Coordination of the Trump Campaign with Russia

More: Five bombings extracted from Michael Cohen's memos, including information he provided to Mueller

Contribution: Bart Jansen

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