The New Yorker has published a woman's handwritten notes about her alleged affair with Trump
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:
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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.
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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
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