CNN obtained the Trump-Cohen tape, and it clearly indicates a discussion between Donald Trump and Michael Cohen regarding arrangements for a payoff so that a story about Karen McDougal’s extramarital affair would not become public knowledge prior to the November 2016 presidential election, in which Trump won an electoral college majority with a minority of the national popular vote. The audio was recorded in September of 2016.
Here is a link to a story on the CNN website about the tape in question According to the article on the CNN website, Trump was quoted as saying the words “pay with cash” in regards to the payoff:
The recording offers the public a glimpse at the confidential discussions between Trump and Cohen, and it confirms the man who now occupies the Oval Office had contemporaneous knowledge of a proposal to buy the rights to the story of Karen McDougal, a woman who has alleged she had an extramarital affair with Trump about a decade ago.
Cohen told Trump about his plans to set up a company and finance the purchase of the rights from American Media, which publishes the National Enquirer.
"I need to open up a company for the transfer of all of that info regarding our friend David," Cohen said in the recording, likely a reference to American Media head David Pecker.
Trump interrupts Cohen asking, "What financing?" according to the recording. When Cohen tells Trump, "We'll have to pay." Trump is heard saying "pay with cash" but the audio is muddled and it's unclear whether he suggests paying with cash or not paying. Cohen says, "no, no" but it is not clear what is said next.
Regardless of whether or not Trump said “pay with cash” or “don’t pay with cash”, it’s clear to me that Trump and Cohen discussed a concerted effort to keep one of Trump’s extramarital affairs from becoming public knowledge during the general election campaign for president, in which Trump was the Republican nominee. I believe that President Trump should resign from office immediately.