The journalist who helped launch the #MeToo movement with his explosive exposé on the allegations against Harvey Weinstein has returned with a report about President Trump's alleged affairs. Writing for The New Yorker, Ronan Farrow claims that Trump began a sexual relationship with former Playboy Playmate of the Year Karen McDougal in 2006, less than two years after he married Melania Trump and a few months after the birth of their son, Barron.
While McDougal was restricted from speaking to The New Yorker about her story, having signed away the rights to talk about it to The National Enquirer in exchange for $150,000, McDougal's friend John Crawford supplied Farrow with McDougal's handwritten notes from the time, which detail the affair.
One note, apparently recalling McDougal's first date with Trump (dinner at a private Beverly Hills bungalow), read:
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
I was so nervous! I was into his intelligence + charm. Such a polite man. We talked for a couple hours — then, it was "ON"! We got naked + had sex. After, we got dressed (to leave) + he offered me money. I looked at him (+ felt sad) + said, 'No thanks — I'm not 'that girl.' I slept w/you because I like you — NOT for money' — He told me 'you are special.' [via The New Yorker]
Despite owning the rights to McDougal's story, The National Enquirer never published it, apparently in an effort to suppress allegations against Trump, who it endorsed for president. Read more of McDougal's allegations, which representatives of Trump have called "totally untrue," at The New Yorker.
-
What you need to know about last-minute travelThe Week Recommends You can book an awesome trip with a moment’s notice
-
Saudi Arabia could become an AI focal pointUnder the Radar A state-backed AI project hopes to rival China and the United States
-
Crossword: October 29, 2025The Week's daily crossword
-
Shutdown stalemate nears key pain pointsSpeed Read A federal employee union called for the Democrats to to stand down four weeks into the government standoff
-
Trump vows new tariffs on Canada over Reagan adspeed read The ad that offended the president has Ronald Reagan explaining why import taxes hurt the economy
-
NY attorney general asks public for ICE raid footageSpeed Read Rep. Dan Goldman claims ICE wrongly detained four US citizens in the Canal Street raid and held them for a whole day without charges
-
Trump’s huge ballroom to replace razed East WingSpeed Read The White House’s east wing is being torn down amid ballroom construction
-
Trump expands boat strikes to Pacific, killing 5 moreSpeed Read The US military destroyed two more alleged drug smuggling boats in international waters
-
Trump demands millions from his administrationSpeed Read The president has requested $230 million in compensation from the Justice Department for previous federal investigations
-
Trump nominee in limbo after racist texts leakSpeed Read Paul Ingrassia lost Republican support following the exposure of past racist text messages
-
Trump begins East Wing demolition for ballroomspeed read The president’s new construction will cost $250 million
