So Trump and his criminal associates leaked the Cohen tape.

[DemocratSinceBirth]

HMMM. It still shows he and his criminal associates lied to the American people:

When The Wall Street Journal revealed the existence of the payment days before the election, Mr. Trump’s campaign spokeswoman, Hope Hicks, said, “We have no knowledge of any of this.” She said Ms. McDougal’s claim of an affair was “totally untrue.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/20/us/politics/michael-cohen-trump-tape.html?hp&action=click&pgtype=Homepage&clickSource=story-heading&module=first-column-region

So Trump and his criminal associates leaked the Cohen tape which is evidence of him and his criminal associates lying to the American people to deflect attention from his kowtowing to Russia.

SMDH

[stonecutter357]

1. LOCK HIM UP!

[Laura PourMeADrink]

19. #lockhimup

[manor321]

2. We don't know that

I suspect it came from the Trump team (which explains the choice of the loathsome Maggie Haberman), but we don't know.

And I'd suspect it's because they knew the tape would come out anyway, so they got ahead of it, leaking ridiculous talking points to Haberman.

[Backwoodsrider]

8. yes the loathsome Haberman carries the Dons water

First time I noticed Haberman on news she was spouting something Don had told only her and I thought she was on his side. Trump has called on her most of any written reporter last 2 years. She has the loathsome look in her eyes as if she is so much smarter than us so she does not have to use the usual society cues like listening to others when they are talking to her but instead sends out 'you are dog crap' with her eyes when the person she is talking to asks her a question.

watch her next time shes on TV watch her 'you are dog crap' eyes

https://muckrack.com/maggie-haberman/articles

[NCTraveler]

3. It's getting in front of a story and not the first time they have done it.

Their tactic on many issues has been clear. Muddy the waters by way of promoting propaganda to their base.

[madaboutharry]

4. Michael Avenatti insists it was Cohen's side

that leaked it. He was on AM Joy this morning and said he rejects the theory it was Trump’s side.

I think we’ll eventually find out the truth.

[RandomAccess]

6. That makes mores sense to me

[triron]

16. I listened to Rachel's argument carefully (I also know she is a Rhodes scholar)

But I don't quite buy it. I believe it was Lanny Davis.

[RandomAccess]

17. Me too

[Backwoodsrider]

9. what could Cohen get from Trump now

Maybe back when this first started Trump could of hired Cohen to try and keep Mueller away from Cohens info but if there is evidence of laws being broken theres not a lot they could do to stop the FBIs access to Cohen. No this is about the Trump team getting out infront of Cohen and his tapes with the Trump brand that's probably why the WH used Haberman shes there go to print reporter. I suspect Avenatti has other ideas I think he would LOVE to be apart of this set up as evidenced by his pleading to work for Cohen while on Ari's MSNBC show Friday.

[Garrett78]

11. And maybe he did, but I'm betting on Maddow's theory until we know different.

[hlthe2b]

5. I have suspected this (that Trump et al leaked it), but I don't see that in the article....

Did I miss it?

[B2G]

7. Has the tape gotten out?

What was leaked? It's existence? Not sure I'm following...

[Backwoodsrider]

10. Guiliani told us what the tape said

Like how our dutiful president made sure he paid off the ex lover playmate with a check so they had proof. WTF? When has Trump done that before? They are branding these tapes. Guilliani also dropped the hint this was the worst tape out there so if there is more many on the general public are going to think the later ones are not as bad as they seem because Guiliani said the worst one has already been released.

Cohens side says Guilliani is incorrect about what is on the tape Trump did not say that but how are we going to know?

That is why Trump used Haberman and get out infront of the news ab=nd brand it but as Mueller continues the investigation and possible prosecutions all this bs Trump is doing right now is not going to matter. The factual evidence is what matters Trump team is just playing with themselves right now waiting for the Mueller facts.

I LOVE this summer!

[Eyeball_Kid]

12. Oh, let's see the physical evidence. Guiliani always lies. n/t

[spanone]

13. i guess they're going with what's on the tape is better than treason?

[MiniMe]

14. They have screwed Michael Cohen by doing this

And now have the ability to spin the tape however it advantages tRump

[DemocratSinceBirth]

15. They have traded a tactical advantage for a strategic one.

[onecaliberal]

18. Cohen needs to release ALL the tapes.

[ancianita]

22. The FBI, not Cohen, have them all, and share, not release, them to defense in the discovery phase.

[Cirroc]

20. The parade of shiny objects

I do believe Trump released it. It has enough rat holes for us to explore to fully distract us from his treason.

They will keep this going until they have gotten everything they want and have amassed so much power that we have lost any ability to fight back.

[NCjack]

21. Trump is the master of mass communications. When there is unflattering

news about himself, he inoculates the public by being the one to release anonymously before the other side does. Then, when the government releases that news, the public yawns and says "I 've heard that before -- why can't these news people get fresh stuff." And that is the end of the public's interest in the story.

[gordianot]

23. There are Trump supporters who hang on any mention of Trump.

There is no act of depravity that will faze them.

[Mc Mike]

24. If there's one thing D Rump hates, it's leaks and leakers.

Er, that's 2 things, I suppose.