Washington — David Pecker, the CEO of American Media Inc., which is the publisher of the National Enquirer, has been granted immunity and is cooperating with federal prosecutors as part of the investigation of Michael Cohen and payments made to two women who claim to have had affairs with Donald Trump.
Vanity Fair reported on the immunity agreement, and it was confirmed by the New York Times and NBC News.
The court documents unsealed at the time of Cohen’s guilty plea earlier this week outline a pattern of cooperation between Ami and the Trump campaign starting in 2015. Prosecutors claim that Ami and the Enquirer tipped off the Trump campaign of potentially damaging stories. In the case of Karen McDougal, who claims she had an affair with Trump in 2006 and 2007, Ami’s Dylan Howard arranged a $150,000 payment for her limited life rights. The purpose was to keep the story from getting published elsewhere,...
Vanity Fair reported on the immunity agreement, and it was confirmed by the New York Times and NBC News.
The court documents unsealed at the time of Cohen’s guilty plea earlier this week outline a pattern of cooperation between Ami and the Trump campaign starting in 2015. Prosecutors claim that Ami and the Enquirer tipped off the Trump campaign of potentially damaging stories. In the case of Karen McDougal, who claims she had an affair with Trump in 2006 and 2007, Ami’s Dylan Howard arranged a $150,000 payment for her limited life rights. The purpose was to keep the story from getting published elsewhere,...
- 8/23/2018
- by Ted Johnson
- Variety Film + TV
Washington — Michael Cohen’s guilty plea on Tuesday also pointed to something that was a factor in coverage of Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign — namely the laudatory publicity he got from the National Enquirer.
In indictment documents unsealed shortly after Cohen appeared at a New York federal court, prosecutors allege that the Enquirer and its parent company, American Media Inc., advised and assisted the Trump campaign in identifying potentially negative stories about the candidate.
The indictment does not name Ami or the Enquirer, but identify them as “corporation 1” and “magazine 1.” The publisher and the Enquirer have previously been identified in press accounts and court records related to payments to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal, who claim to have had affairs with Trump. Those payments are the heart of the government’s claims that Cohen violated campaign finance laws. Cohen said in court that he was “directed” by Trump to do so.
In indictment documents unsealed shortly after Cohen appeared at a New York federal court, prosecutors allege that the Enquirer and its parent company, American Media Inc., advised and assisted the Trump campaign in identifying potentially negative stories about the candidate.
The indictment does not name Ami or the Enquirer, but identify them as “corporation 1” and “magazine 1.” The publisher and the Enquirer have previously been identified in press accounts and court records related to payments to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal, who claim to have had affairs with Trump. Those payments are the heart of the government’s claims that Cohen violated campaign finance laws. Cohen said in court that he was “directed” by Trump to do so.
- 8/22/2018
- by Ted Johnson
- Variety Film + TV
Jennifer Lawrence spoke during an inaugural summit at Tulane University in New Orleans over the weekend, calling out politicians for their corruption and championing bipartisanship as a way for the American people to move forward.
On Friday, the Oscar-winning actress sat down with former U.S. Federal Election Commission chairman Trevor Potter and displayed her usual charm with tongue-in-cheek questions about how a "Hollywood elite" like herself could impact change.
"If candidates or PACs break the rules, what is the punishment? A really big fine?" Lawrence asked at one point during the event.
On Friday, the Oscar-winning actress sat down with former U.S. Federal Election Commission chairman Trevor Potter and displayed her usual charm with tongue-in-cheek questions about how a "Hollywood elite" like herself could impact change.
"If candidates or PACs break the rules, what is the punishment? A really big fine?" Lawrence asked at one point during the event.
- 2/5/2018
- Rollingstone.com
It's the moment we've all been waiting for: finally, someone had the stones to ask Karl Rove about his reaction to Ham Rove... and it was weird.
On Monday's "Report", Stephen Colbert announced that a conference room at The Campaign Legal Center, a campaign finance reform nonprofit helmed by former Colbert lawyer Trevor Potter, had been renamed "The Ham Rove Memorial Conference Room". The move may have inspired "ABC This Week" to ask Rove about the luncheon meat version of his head.
In his response, Rove indicated that he had some concerns about Colbert's mental state. Watch the clip above to see Rove's reaction and to learn some important facts that could save your Easter lunch from disaster.
On Monday's "Report", Stephen Colbert announced that a conference room at The Campaign Legal Center, a campaign finance reform nonprofit helmed by former Colbert lawyer Trevor Potter, had been renamed "The Ham Rove Memorial Conference Room". The move may have inspired "ABC This Week" to ask Rove about the luncheon meat version of his head.
In his response, Rove indicated that he had some concerns about Colbert's mental state. Watch the clip above to see Rove's reaction and to learn some important facts that could save your Easter lunch from disaster.
- 3/26/2013
- by Carol Hartsell
- Huffington Post
Republican Jim DeMint of South Carolina is exiting the Senate before his term is over, which is a win/win all around. He'll leave to head up the Heritage Foundation and Stephen Colbert can take his Senate seat.
Yes, you read that correctly. Under the guise of his blustery "Colbert Report" character, Stephen Colbert has launched stunt presidential bids twice, in 2008 and 2012, attempting to get on the ballot only in his native state of South Carolina. So why wouldn't he try to nab a U.S. Senate seat from the state?
After trying to run for president in 2012, he set up his own Super Pac in order to raise money for his preferred campaign causes (such as rallies for Herman Cain after he dropped out of the race). In a recent interview with Playboy, Colbert explained that he started the Super Pac as a sort of public education masked as comedy.
Yes, you read that correctly. Under the guise of his blustery "Colbert Report" character, Stephen Colbert has launched stunt presidential bids twice, in 2008 and 2012, attempting to get on the ballot only in his native state of South Carolina. So why wouldn't he try to nab a U.S. Senate seat from the state?
After trying to run for president in 2012, he set up his own Super Pac in order to raise money for his preferred campaign causes (such as rallies for Herman Cain after he dropped out of the race). In a recent interview with Playboy, Colbert explained that he started the Super Pac as a sort of public education masked as comedy.
- 12/6/2012
- by The Huffington Post
- Huffington Post
It was a rather non-traditional second night Passover Seder as my uncle and legal advisor Raymond Ragues (of Ragues Pllc) and I nudged Elijah's Cup out of the way and spread out Fec Form 1 on the dining room table.
"You mean this is really, really it?" I was asking in disbelief, as my uncle choked down an unfortunately large morsel of bitter herb and put his hands up in a gesture that meant, "What can I say?"
"This one form, which asks nothing more difficult of me than to spell my name and address properly, is all I need?"
"Yes," my uncle said. "See? You didn't even need me."
"I suppose not," I said, scanning Form 1 again to make sure I hadn't missed any trick questions.
So that was it, then. Confident that I would be able to fill out the form with my peers, I relaxed and put the paperwork aside,...
"You mean this is really, really it?" I was asking in disbelief, as my uncle choked down an unfortunately large morsel of bitter herb and put his hands up in a gesture that meant, "What can I say?"
"This one form, which asks nothing more difficult of me than to spell my name and address properly, is all I need?"
"Yes," my uncle said. "See? You didn't even need me."
"I suppose not," I said, scanning Form 1 again to make sure I hadn't missed any trick questions.
So that was it, then. Confident that I would be able to fill out the form with my peers, I relaxed and put the paperwork aside,...
- 5/24/2012
- by Remy M. Maisel
- Aol TV.
If we learned anything from Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert's Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear in 2010, it's that when America's favorite anchors ask their audience to jump, the audience immediately, unquestioningly and happily launches itself into the air as one, and worries about exactly what the purpose of that great leap was later.
But that's not because there is no purpose to the 'stunts' they pull, or because the audience doesn't care what the purpose is. No -- it's that we trust Stewart and Colbert to lead us through the wilderness to arrive at some relief. Sometimes, the relief is like reaching an oasis: it comes in the form of a few answers. But sometimes, equally or perhaps even more importantly, the relief comes in the form of a good dose of laughter that makes us feel just a little bit better about being stuck in the middle of the desert.
But that's not because there is no purpose to the 'stunts' they pull, or because the audience doesn't care what the purpose is. No -- it's that we trust Stewart and Colbert to lead us through the wilderness to arrive at some relief. Sometimes, the relief is like reaching an oasis: it comes in the form of a few answers. But sometimes, equally or perhaps even more importantly, the relief comes in the form of a good dose of laughter that makes us feel just a little bit better about being stuck in the middle of the desert.
- 4/3/2012
- by Remy M. Maisel
- Aol TV.
While Stephen Colbert and Jon Stewart are definitely not coordinating with each other (hence the Definitely Not Coordinating With Stephen Colbert Super Pac) regarding Colbert’s presidential bid, the duo paired up during last night’s Daily Show to make sure that their continued efforts, which includes that ad accusing Gop front-runner Mitt Romney of being a serial killer, was all perfectly legal.
After a call to their lawyer, Trevor Potter, Colbert, and Stewart non-coordinated together to find out that not only are they in the clear, but if they do get fined for their actions, they can just use...
After a call to their lawyer, Trevor Potter, Colbert, and Stewart non-coordinated together to find out that not only are they in the clear, but if they do get fined for their actions, they can just use...
- 1/18/2012
- by Aly Semigran
- EW.com - PopWatch
The Colbert Report
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive
The Colbert Report
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive
Stephen Colbert isn't giving up on his dreams of running for president (of South Carolina).
Recently, though, the "Colbert Report" anchor ran into a little trouble -- candidates aren't allowed to be involved in Super PACs, but he was in charge of his own.
Thankfully, together with his adviser, Washington, D.C. lawyer Trevor Potter, he came up with the perfect solution: cede his committee to fellow Comedy Central fake news anchor Jon Stewart. For his part, Stewart is honored to be asked. And manages to plug his and Colbert's upcoming bagel shop, From Schmear to Eternity. We want to go to there.
Behold: The Definitely Not Coordinating With Stephen Colbert Super Pac, now buying ad time on South Carolina TVs near you.
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive
The Colbert Report
Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political Humor & Satire Blog,Video Archive
Stephen Colbert isn't giving up on his dreams of running for president (of South Carolina).
Recently, though, the "Colbert Report" anchor ran into a little trouble -- candidates aren't allowed to be involved in Super PACs, but he was in charge of his own.
Thankfully, together with his adviser, Washington, D.C. lawyer Trevor Potter, he came up with the perfect solution: cede his committee to fellow Comedy Central fake news anchor Jon Stewart. For his part, Stewart is honored to be asked. And manages to plug his and Colbert's upcoming bagel shop, From Schmear to Eternity. We want to go to there.
Behold: The Definitely Not Coordinating With Stephen Colbert Super Pac, now buying ad time on South Carolina TVs near you.
- 1/13/2012
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Zap2It - From Inside the Box
New York — Stephen Colbert isn't running for president – at least not yet.
During Thursday night's episode of "The Colbert Report," Colbert legally transferred his super political action committee to his friend and Comedy Central cohort Jon Stewart. Dropping by from "The Daily Show," Stewart happily signed the documents and accepted the post, which was ceremonially observed by the two holding hands and bodily transferring the Pac powers.
The move potentially paves the way for Colbert to enter the Republican presidential primary in South Carolina, his home state. Campaigning politicians are prohibited from simultaneously running super PACs.
But Colbert only hinted at such a decision, which he had grandly hyped ahead of Thursday's show. In flirting candidate style, he announced that he is forming "an exploratory committee to lay the groundwork for my possible candidacy for the president of the United States of South Carolina."
Patriotically colored balloons were released in...
During Thursday night's episode of "The Colbert Report," Colbert legally transferred his super political action committee to his friend and Comedy Central cohort Jon Stewart. Dropping by from "The Daily Show," Stewart happily signed the documents and accepted the post, which was ceremonially observed by the two holding hands and bodily transferring the Pac powers.
The move potentially paves the way for Colbert to enter the Republican presidential primary in South Carolina, his home state. Campaigning politicians are prohibited from simultaneously running super PACs.
But Colbert only hinted at such a decision, which he had grandly hyped ahead of Thursday's show. In flirting candidate style, he announced that he is forming "an exploratory committee to lay the groundwork for my possible candidacy for the president of the United States of South Carolina."
Patriotically colored balloons were released in...
- 1/13/2012
- by AP
- Huffington Post
New York — Stephen Colbert isn't running for president – at least not yet.
During Thursday night's episode of "The Colbert Report," Colbert legally transferred his super political action committee to his friend and Comedy Central cohort Jon Stewart. Dropping by from "The Daily Show," Stewart happily signed the documents and accepted the post, which was ceremonially observed by the two holding hands and bodily transferring the Pac powers.
The move potentially paves the way for Colbert to enter the Republican presidential primary in South Carolina, his home state. Campaigning politicians are prohibited from simultaneously running super PACs.
But Colbert only hinted at such a decision, which he had grandly hyped ahead of Thursday's show. In flirting candidate style, he announced that he is forming "an exploratory committee to lay the groundwork for my possible candidacy for the president of the United States of South Carolina."
Patriotically colored balloons were released in...
During Thursday night's episode of "The Colbert Report," Colbert legally transferred his super political action committee to his friend and Comedy Central cohort Jon Stewart. Dropping by from "The Daily Show," Stewart happily signed the documents and accepted the post, which was ceremonially observed by the two holding hands and bodily transferring the Pac powers.
The move potentially paves the way for Colbert to enter the Republican presidential primary in South Carolina, his home state. Campaigning politicians are prohibited from simultaneously running super PACs.
But Colbert only hinted at such a decision, which he had grandly hyped ahead of Thursday's show. In flirting candidate style, he announced that he is forming "an exploratory committee to lay the groundwork for my possible candidacy for the president of the United States of South Carolina."
Patriotically colored balloons were released in...
- 1/13/2012
- by AP
- Aol TV.
Getty Stephen Colbert
Stephen Colbert is set to testify before the Federal Election Commission today, and he previewed his appearance on his comedy show “The Colbert Report.”
The comedian is attempting to launch the Colbert Super Pac, which will allow him to raise money from donors in advance of the 2012 presidential elections. On his show, Colbert routinely has mocked fundraising in politics and Supreme Court decisions that have opened up the fundraising possibilities for Super PACs, a new kind of...
Stephen Colbert is set to testify before the Federal Election Commission today, and he previewed his appearance on his comedy show “The Colbert Report.”
The comedian is attempting to launch the Colbert Super Pac, which will allow him to raise money from donors in advance of the 2012 presidential elections. On his show, Colbert routinely has mocked fundraising in politics and Supreme Court decisions that have opened up the fundraising possibilities for Super PACs, a new kind of...
- 6/30/2011
- by WSJ Staff
- Speakeasy/Wall Street Journal
Episode Number: 7052 (April 14, 2011)
Guests: Trevor Potter, Caroline Kennedy
Segments: Obama Needs Charts and Graphs, Viacom Ruins Stephen’s Pac Dream, Colbert Super Pac, Easter Under Attack – Egg Edition
Videos: Thursday, April 14, 2011
Some nights the writing crew at The Colbert Report find that perfect balance of absolutely silly and spot on commentary that makes me fall in love with the show all over again. Within the first two minutes I was already in giggles from pointy-ear surgery, to our Vulcan-in-Chief, to Ross Perot (“Can I finish here? Can I finish here?”). Yea, I remember his charts and graphs. And who gets the job making up a Venn Diagram for Martin Luther King Jr’s ‘I have a dream’ speech?
I’m so proud of the Colbert Nation for doing the right thing: “giving their e-mail address to a complete stranger on the internet” at www.ColbertPAC.com. Boo to Viacom lawyers...
Guests: Trevor Potter, Caroline Kennedy
Segments: Obama Needs Charts and Graphs, Viacom Ruins Stephen’s Pac Dream, Colbert Super Pac, Easter Under Attack – Egg Edition
Videos: Thursday, April 14, 2011
Some nights the writing crew at The Colbert Report find that perfect balance of absolutely silly and spot on commentary that makes me fall in love with the show all over again. Within the first two minutes I was already in giggles from pointy-ear surgery, to our Vulcan-in-Chief, to Ross Perot (“Can I finish here? Can I finish here?”). Yea, I remember his charts and graphs. And who gets the job making up a Venn Diagram for Martin Luther King Jr’s ‘I have a dream’ speech?
I’m so proud of the Colbert Nation for doing the right thing: “giving their e-mail address to a complete stranger on the internet” at www.ColbertPAC.com. Boo to Viacom lawyers...
- 5/2/2011
- by Jennie
- No Fact Zone
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.