UPDATED: CNN Releases The #TrumpTapes

*This post has been updated. See details below.*

Here we go.

CNN obtained the audio of a conversation between Trump and Cohen that took place back in September 2016. In it, the two discuss obtaining the rights to a story about a playboy model, Karen McDougal, who claimed to have an affair with Trump 10 years 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.

No payment was ever made from Trump, Rudy Giuliani, the President’s attorney, has said. Giuliani has previously acknowledged that the recorded discussion related to the buying the story rights.

The recording, which was provided to CNN by Cohen’s attorney Lanny Davis, was made in September 2016.

Here’s the audio:

CNN obtained the tape of the Cohen-Trump conversation about Karen McDougal. Here the first part of it, which was just played live on @ChrisCuomo‘s show. pic.twitter.com/5N4X6Ew8GC

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 25, 2018

Giuliani has responded:

.@RudyGiuliani on the Michael Cohen-Trump secret recording: “The major point is, it’s outrageous that someone would tape his client surreptitiously.” @IngrahamAngle pic.twitter.com/TsfidkfvDU

— Fox News (@FoxNews) July 25, 2018

.@RudyGiuliani on the Michael Cohen-Trump secret recording: “This tape is crystal clear when you listen to it.” @ingrahamangle pic.twitter.com/ZFTclI24wn

— Fox News (@FoxNews) July 25, 2018

Buckle up. This is all anyone’s going to talk about tomorrow.

I wonder if we’ll have a tweetstorm from Trump in the morning…

**This post has been updated for clarification.** In the previous version, I stated that the discussion revolved around some sort of payment to a playboy model who claimed to have an affair with Trump. However, the discussion wasn’t about paying HER, but obtaining the rights to her story from a publisher.

Just wanted to correct the record!