It’s been a big week in Donald Trump news, but probably not in the way he’d like—not only has the date for the criminal case against him been set (he plead not guilty last month to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records), but news of an alleged extramarital affair has begun to trend on Twitter, years after the story first broke in the New Yorker.
That alleged extramarital affair involved former Playboy Playmate of the Year Karen McDougal, who shared an account of the circa-2006 romance with the magazine in 2018. It seems that Trump’s recent legal woes have reignited interest in the affair, especially as McDougal is speculated to be providing testimony in the hush money case against him.
Ex Playboy model Karen McDougal shares intimate details about her ten-month affair with Donald Trump https://t.co/ESVXTi6Ckb pic.twitter.com/NaaLiYS2zG
— Daily Mail U.K. (@DailyMailUK) May 19, 2023
Trump Trial Will Begin March 25, 2024
New York State Judge Juan Merchan set a start date of March 25, 2024 in the criminal trial against Donald Trump during a brief hearing on Tuesday, which Trump attended remotely via video feed. The former president only responded once during the hearing, to confirm he had a copy of the protective order for the case.
The trial revolves around hush money payments made during Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, who alleged having an affair with Trump—an allegation the Apprentice star denies. McDougal is also a subject of the trial, as prosecutors have cited evidence of payments made to her as well to guarantee her silence. Because business records may have been illegally falsified to conceal evidence of these payments, Trump is looking at a possible felony conviction if found guilty.
Since the case hinges on purported proof that the former president did indeed make these payments to hide his extramarital affair, it seems many are looking deeper into Trump's tangled history with women—especially in light of his defamation trial loss to E. Jean Carroll, who stated that Trump sexually assaulted her in a department store dressing room in the mid-90s.
Ex-Playmate Karen McDougal details ‘love’ affair with Trump — and if she’s backing him again in 2024 https://t.co/nIEyzAL9T1 pic.twitter.com/vkmsLV1G03
— New York Post (@nypost) May 21, 2023
Alleged Former Trump Mistress Endorses Ron De Santis For President
Coming in the midst of turmoil for Donald Trump, Karen McDougal has appeared in the media again not only as a speculated future witness in the hush money case, but also as a public endorser of Florida governor Ron De Santis in his 2024 presidential campaign—notably not endorsing her purported "old flame," Donald.
"I'm hoping De Santis gets in. I'd be willing to work for his campaign," said McDougal to the Daily Mail.
McDougal's name began to trend on Twitter soon after news of her presidential endorsement broke, with many commenting on the alleged affair between the former POTUS and Playmate:
Was Trump involved w/McDougal after meeting Melania? I sure hope not, but would not be surprised, ugh
— Mark&Patti Collins (@lmcplc20169) May 20, 2023
i knew it, trump can;t be faithful to his wife, how can he be faithful to the people of the USA?
— joycemsm Trad momma (@litldov1) May 20, 2023
And one more thing. The recent Karen McDougal revelations is the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Trump is nothing but a debaucher and a rake. No business being in public life.
— Robby (@15thStreetDM) May 25, 2023
The alleged affair began in June 2006, just over a year after Donald and wife Melania wed and mere months after son Barron was born. Trump has to this point denied any involvement with both Karen McDougal and Stormy Daniels.
