https://www.wsj.com/politics/policy...bh5mn081ynl&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink
The WSJ broke the story about Stormy Daniels and have a long review of it has played out.
As often happens in these long articles the best part is buried way at the bottom:
The president, meanwhile, appeared more preoccupied with some of Daniels’ more personal remarks than with the political ramifications. After Daniels described the president’s penis as “smaller than average” and “like a toadstool,” Trump called Grisham and told her it was “all lies” and that “everything down there is fine.” (“What the hell was I supposed to say to that?” Grisham wrote.)
After sending the statement to news media describing his payment to Daniels as a “private transaction,” Cohen later said in a deposition, he got a call from Trump while the attorney was on his way to Teterboro Airport in New Jersey. The first lady was also on the line.
Trump asked him why he’d paid Daniels, according to Cohen.
“Well, because sometimes, you know, just because something’s not true doesn’t mean that it can’t hurt you,” Cohen said.
“Wow, Melania, do you believe that? He took $130,000 out of his pocket,” Trump said.
Trump then asked why Cohen hadn’t told him about the payment.
“Well, I figured I would tell you, but I expected you were going to lose the election. You know, then I would have told you. But, unfortunately, you won, and, you know, I guess I’ll just call it a cost of doing business,” Cohen told him.
Cohen said in his deposition that he knew the conversation was for Melania Trump’s benefit and that she saw through the lies.
He was right: The first lady privately said she didn’t believe her husband’s denials. Of Cohen’s claim that he had acted alone, Melania Trump said, “Oh, please, are you kidding me? I don’t believe any of that bull****,” according to Grisham, her former aide.