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Overview
Karen McDougal is a former Playboy model who had an affair with Donald Trump from 2006-2007. She was paid $150,000 by American Media Inc. (National Enquirer) in a catch-and-kill arrangement to prevent her from speaking before the 2016 election. Her story was central to the hush money case.
Key Affiliations
Controversies & Concerns
Affair while Melania was pregnant
Believed she was in love with Trump
AMI payment structured as "consulting "deal
Barred from telling her story for years
Sued to break contract and tell her story
Settled with AMI, allowed to speak
Related Investigations (4)
Known Associates & Connections
Donald Trump
Sexual affair 2006-2007
David Pecker
Paid her $150K for silence
Michael Cohen
Coordinated payment
Sources & Documentation
3 documented sources from official records, investigations, and reports
Personal Information
- Born
- March 23, 1971
- Birthplace
- Merrillville, Indiana, USA
- Also Known As
- Playmate of the Year 1998
Education
- •Unknown
Key Timeline
1971
Born in Indiana
1998
Named Playboy Playmate of the Year
2006
June: Begins affair with Trump at Playboy Mansion
2007
April: Affair ends
2016
August: AMI pays $150,000 for story rights
2016
Signs contract prohibiting discussing affair
2018
February: Tries to break contract
2018
March: Anderson Cooper interview, CNN
2018
April: Settles with AMI, can speak freely