Popular Culture Review Volume 30, Number 2, Summer 2019 | Page 144

Fake News and Failed Friendships : An Analysis of Trump , Pecker , and the National Enquirer
subscription ( para . 5 ). Rob Shutter , in his “ Number One in America Gossip Column ,” reported a make-up artist working on Maddow for a cover of a Rolling Stone magazine described the news host as a vain diva who did not like her face touched ( para . 4 ). Such petty second-hand gossip is largely irrelevant ; however , a seemingly insignificant event soon threatened to involve the president of the United States in the commission of a felony .
ANATOMY OF A CRIME
According to Farrow ’ s article in the New Yorker , Karen Mc- Dougal met Trump at a party at the Playboy Mansion . He asked for her telephone number and they soon began chatting on the phone . Their first date was dinner in a private bungalow at the Beverly Hills Hotel . Trump ’ s polite manner , intelligence , and charm impressed her . “ We talked for a couple hours�then , it was ‘ ON ’! We got naked + had sex ” ( para . 8 ). As she was getting dressed to leave , Trump offered her money . “ I looked at him (+ felt sad ) + said , No thanks�I ’ m not ‘ that kind of girl . I slept with you because I like you� NOT for money ’ �He told me ‘ you are special ’” ( para . 8 ). McDougal and Trump continued their relationship during the American Celebrity Golf Tournament in July 2006 at Lake Tahoe . Allegedly , “ the Donald ” had sex with adult entertainer Stormy Daniels at the same event . Both relationships continued through 2007 .
McDougal claimed she had intercourse with Trump dozens of times from June 2006 to April 2007 . Trump flew McDougal to public events , but hid the fact he paid for her travel so as not to leave a paper trail . He introduced her to members of his family and took her to his private residences . While visiting Trump Tower in New York , Trump pointed out Me-
135