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According to a new report, adult movie actress Stormy Daniels, who denied having an extramarital affair with Donald Trump back in 2006, told a different story in 2011.
USA TODAY
EJ Montini: If this were any other president, buying off a porn star would be a YUUUGE scandal. But not Donald Trump.
Imagine if President Barack Obama had done this.
Imagine if President George W. Bush had done this.
Imagine if president … anybody ... had done this.
Anybody but Trump, anyway.
It would not simply be news. It would be THE news.
It would be a national obsession.
Porn star affair while Melania was pregnant
The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that a lawyer representing Donald Trump worked out a $130,000 payment to a porn-film actress to buy her silence about a sexual encounter with Trump.
The payoff was said to have occurred during a crucial time in the campaign.
The consensual sex was said to have occurred while Trump was married to a pregnant Melania.
Now, In Touch magazine has published a 7-year-old interview in which the porn star outlines her affair with Trump.
Can we still ignore this?
MONTINI: Trump says 16 women are lying about his misconduct
All this in addition to the report in The Wall Street Journal.
The Wall Street Journal.
This is a paper owned by Rupert Murdoch, the man who also owns Fox News Channel, a man who calls Trump a friend, a media mogul whose publications and TV channels have been extremely kind to the president.
The woman involved, Stephanie Clifford, goes by the screen name “Stormie Daniels” and starred (if that is ever the right word for a porn flick) in … I’m not making this up … a film called “Good Will Humping.”
Why aren't people outraged over this?
The payoff came right around the time of the release of Trump’s coarse boasting on an “Access Hollywood” tape about being able to grab women by the genitals.
Writing in The New York Times op-ed columnist Michelle Goldberg said of all this, “In any other administration, evidence that the president paid hush money to the star of “Good Will Humping” during the election would be a scandal. In this one it has, so far, elicited a collective shrug.”
She’s right.
Granted, there is already the considerable collective noise over Trump’s “s--hole” comments. And trying to figure out if the President of the United States is a racist might supersede reports of his philandering.
But, still.
Hush money to a porn star?
I haven’t seen or heard anything from the evangelical leaders who have supported Trump.
I haven’t seen or heard much of anything from just about anyone.
After only a year of President Trump have our expectations of the individual elected to that office really sunk that low?
Yes.
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Montini: The problem with Trump's 'country' logic | 1:44President Donald Trump confuses 's--hole countries' with 's--hole people,' columnist EJ Montini says.
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Montini: We failed a big test on charter schools | 2:33Arizona charter schools aren't supposed to exclude students they don't want, columnist EJ Montini says, but they do.
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Montini: This is even better than the Pence Rule | 1:29Want to avoid sexual harassment? There's a better way to operate than refusing to be in the same room alone with a woman, columnist EJ Montini says.
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Montini: Senate passed tax bill before reading it | 2:49The tax bill was 500 pages long, and senators had three hours to read it. It's doubtful many of them did, columnist EJ Montini says.
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Montini: Ask your boss about Trump's tax plan | 1:31Donald Trump says Congress' tax reform plan will give you a $4,000-a-year pay raise. Columnist EJ Montini says you should ask your employer about that.
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Montini: Why I'm thankful to live in Arizona | 1:46He thought it would be Arizona's landscape or its beauty. But that's not what makes columnist EJ Montini most thankful to live here.
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Montini: Trump's border wall has already been breached | 1:33Ever wonder why all the pictures of the border wall prototypes were taken from above? Columnist EJ Montini asks.
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Montini: Let's treat guns like trucks | 1:55After the Texas shooting, maybe we should all own trucks to keep us safe, columnist EJ Montini says.
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Montini: Fontes has a potty mouth, you know who else does? | 0:00If you take offense at the profanity Maricopa County Recorder Adrian Fontes used against a voter on social media, you should ask yourself why?
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Montini: Donald Trump is like a State Fair corndog | 1:18You go to the fair when you get tired of everyone telling you to eat right, columnist EJ Montini says.
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Montini: Donald Trump can't keep the media in the dark | 2:02Donald Trump took an oath to uphold the freedom of the press, but did he mean it? Columnist EJ Montini explains.
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Montini: Why shouldn't sports and politics mix? | 1:30Those who say we shouldn't mix politics and sports don't know history, columnist EJ Montini says.
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Montini: Stop following the template on mass shootings | 1:38After the Las Vegas shooting, we need to do more than 'massacre, mourn, repeat,' columnist EJ Montini says.
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Trump's NFL comments stir up racists: Montini | 2:16President Trump condemns black football players but not white supremacists. And that stirs up the worst parts of his base, columnist EJ Montini says.
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Montini: We'll need immigrants to rebuild | 1:09Immigrants helped rebuild after Hurricane Katrina. We'll need them even more after Harvey and Irma, columnist EJ Montini says.
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Montini: Will Congress kick the can on dreamers? | 0:59Donald Trump rescinded DACA and kicked the can to Congress on dreamers, columnist EJ Montini says. Will they fix his mess?
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Montini: Remember this hero on Sept. 4 | 1:13Leonard Kolodziej died Sept. 4, 1991, and is one of 38 Phoenix police officers who gave their lives to keep us safe, columnist EJ Montini says.
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Montini: Are dreamers bargaining chips or hostages? | 1:53Columnist EJ Montini says President Trump should not use dreamers as a bargaining chip to get funding for his border wall.
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Montini: Arpaio wins the lottery, begs for change | 1:23Former Sheriff Joe Arpaio received a presidential pardon yet continues to ask for money to help cover his legal fees, columnist EJ Montini says.
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Montini: This is the real America | 1:26Columnist EJ Montini broadcasts among the protesters at President Trump's Phoenix rally.
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Montini: What you'll need for Trump's Phoenix visit | 1:13If you're headed to Donald Trump's rally in Phoenix, you'll need some special gear, columnist EJ Montini says.
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Montini: Mr. Governor, tear down this memorial | 4:08A memorial to Confederate troops at the state Capitol isn't about a historical event. It's about putting people in their place, columnist E.J. Montini says.
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Montini: Will Doug Ducey whiff on Obamacare? | 1:18Arizona's governor just got forced into the health-care reform game, columnist EJ Montini says.
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Montini: The kind of Trumpcare we really need | 1:37Now that the Senate health care bill is dead, columnist EJ Montini asks, can we use this opportunity to build a system that offers universal health care?
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EJ Montini: Health care isn't like grocery shopping | 1:50It doesn't matter if you buy steak or hamburger when you shop. Either way, you still live. Not so with health care, columnist EJ Montini says.
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Montini: Hobby Lobby's unholy ISIS link | 2:22Hobby Lobby is big on the Bible, columnist EJ Montini says. Yet it forgot the book's lessons on stealing when it bought artifacts possibly looted by terrorists.
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Montini: Robert Mueller has way more political capital than Andy Biggs | 2:13Robert Mueller suddenly decided after 50 years with a perfect reputation to witch hunt the president? Give me a break, columnist EJ Montini says.
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Montini: How can you possibly live in that heat? | 1:54120 degrees in Arizona? It's only oppressive if you're a wimp -- which most Arizonans are not, columnist EJ Montini says.
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Montini: Schweikert begs for cash to protect him from cookies | 2:02U.S. Rep. David Schweikert wants campaign donations to fend off protesters bearing cookies, columnist E.J. Montini says.
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Montini: What about homegrown terrorists? | 2:08The president says a London terror attack underscores his need for a travel ban. But the people committing terrorism already live here, columnist E.J. Montini says.
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Montini: That colander guy is onto something | 1:17It might be worth wearing some metal head gear now that that the president has pulled out of the Paris climate deal, columnist E.J. Montini says.
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Montini: Arizona is like the worst gym on Earth | 1:37Imagine you pay for a gym membership, they lock up the towels and fight you in court with your own credit card. That's sort of what the Arizona Legislature is doing, columnist E.J. Montini says.
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Montini: Did Trump bow to the Saudi King? | 1:49Did the president just bow to another ruler? Depends on how you define it, columnist E.J. Montini says.
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Montini volunteers free tickets - with Bickley's help | 1:51azcentral sports' Jay Dieffenbach and E.J. Montini discuss the Diamondbacks and their special summer ticket deal.
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Montini: How you can honor Tucson shooting victims | 2:07The Legislature refused to fund a memorial for the Tucson shooting victims, columnist E.J. Montini says, so now it needs your donations to make it happen.
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Montini: Trump's voter fraud commission is a fraud | 1:46The president's new voter fraud commission is a classic bait-and-switch, columnist E.J. Montini says.
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Montini: Congress can opt themselves out of Trumpcare | 1:16If the Obamacare replacement is supposed to be such a good thing, why does Congress want to opt itself out of it? Columnist E.J. Montini explains.
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Montini: 'I think you're the communist' | 2:08Columnist E.J. Montini warms up his shredder and gets out his (hate) mail bag to read more mean comments from readers.
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Montini: This bill lets anyone privately buy a gun | 1:31A bill passed by the Arizona Legislature prohibits background checks on the sale or transfer of personal property, including guns, and columnist E.J. Montini says that's a terrible idea.
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Montini: You really are as stupid as you look | 1:46Columnist E.J. Montini shares a few (not so kind) thoughts from readers in his mailbag.
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Montini: Drop the criminal case against Joe Arpaio | 1:19The federal government is wasting time and money prosecuting the former Maricopa County sheriff, columnist E.J. Montini says.
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Montini: Want to be a brick in the border wall? | 1:28Columnist E.J. Montini has a way to build the wall -- without breaking the federal budget. Diana Payan/azcentral.com
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Montini: Vouchers are like a game of three-card monte | 1:58Columnist E.J. Montini shows how everyone got scammed on school vouchers.
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Montini: Congress should treat the Supreme Court like a pepperoni pizza | 1:05Columnist E.J. Montini wanted a fancy meal. His bosses wanted him to be fast. So, they compromised on a nice slice. Why can't Congress do the same?
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Montini: Shame on these abortion foes | 1:47Why push an agenda on abortion when it hurts people who must medically terminate a pregnancy, columnist E.J. Montini asks.
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Montini: Trump spends first 10 weeks on the golf course | 1:13Donald Trump used to criticize the amount of time Barack Obama spent on the golf course. But Trump has spent much more time on the links, columnist E.J. Montini says.
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Montini: What drawing a swastika really says about you | 1:17What are we to make of the 'artists' who drew swastikas (or things meant to look like them)? Columnist E.J. Montini has some ideas.
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Montini: Wool pulled over Republican politician's eyes on replacement for Obamacare | 1:08Columnist E.J. Montini says Republicans' vote on the Obamacare replacement may end up being a choice between party and people.
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Montini: So, Trump apologizes to Obama ... nah ... | 2:01President Donald Trump should apologize to former President Barack Obama, columnist E.J. Montini says. But you actually think he will?
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Montini: Work or spring training baseball? You decide | 1:01It's beautiful outside, and E.J. Montini has the urge to sneak away to spring training.
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Montini: How do we really fix Obamacare? | 2:03Republicans' plan to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act failed to deliver on their promises. Columnist E.J. Montini says there are two fixes for that.
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Montini: Supreme Court should order respect with their fries | 1:09The minimum-wage lawsuit before the Arizona Supreme Court boils down to one thing, according to columnist E.J. Montini.
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Montini: Would you call Lori Piestewa a squaw? | 1:09When it comes to changing the name of Squaw Peak Parkway in Phoenix, there's only one question to ask, says columnist E.J. Montini.
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Montini: Trump's actions take us back to 1988 Arizona | 1:11Don your tinfoil hat, says columnist E.J. Montini. President Donald Trump sounds a lot like former Arizona Gov. Evan Mecham.
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Montini: Arizona's Republican congressional delegation are lap dogs | 1:00They voted in a party line to keep President Donald Trump's tax returns from being revealed. That's a shame, says columnist E.J. Montini.
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Montini: The problem with Trump's 'country' logic

Montini: We failed a big test on charter schools

Montini: This is even better than the Pence Rule

Montini: Senate passed tax bill before reading it

Montini: Ask your boss about Trump's tax plan

Montini: Why I'm thankful to live in Arizona

Montini: Trump's border wall has already been breached

Montini: Let's treat guns like trucks

Montini: Fontes has a potty mouth, you know who else does?

Montini: Donald Trump is like a State Fair corndog

Montini: Donald Trump can't keep the media in the dark

Montini: Why shouldn't sports and politics mix?

Montini: Stop following the template on mass shootings

Trump's NFL comments stir up racists: Montini

Montini: We'll need immigrants to rebuild

Montini: Will Congress kick the can on dreamers?

Montini: Remember this hero on Sept. 4

Montini: Are dreamers bargaining chips or hostages?

Montini: Arpaio wins the lottery, begs for change

Montini: This is the real America

Montini: What you'll need for Trump's Phoenix visit

Montini: Mr. Governor, tear down this memorial

Montini: Will Doug Ducey whiff on Obamacare?

Montini: The kind of Trumpcare we really need

EJ Montini: Health care isn't like grocery shopping

Montini: Hobby Lobby's unholy ISIS link

Montini: Robert Mueller has way more political capital than Andy Biggs

Montini: How can you possibly live in that heat?

Montini: Schweikert begs for cash to protect him from cookies

Montini: What about homegrown terrorists?

Montini: That colander guy is onto something

Montini: Arizona is like the worst gym on Earth

Montini: Did Trump bow to the Saudi King?

Montini volunteers free tickets - with Bickley's help

Montini: How you can honor Tucson shooting victims

Montini: Trump's voter fraud commission is a fraud

Montini: Congress can opt themselves out of Trumpcare

Montini: 'I think you're the communist'

Montini: This bill lets anyone privately buy a gun

Montini: You really are as stupid as you look

Montini: Drop the criminal case against Joe Arpaio

Montini: Want to be a brick in the border wall?

Montini: Vouchers are like a game of three-card monte

Montini: Congress should treat the Supreme Court like a pepperoni pizza

Montini: Shame on these abortion foes

Montini: Trump spends first 10 weeks on the golf course

Montini: What drawing a swastika really says about you

Montini: Wool pulled over Republican politician's eyes on replacement for Obamacare

Montini: So, Trump apologizes to Obama ... nah ...

Montini: Work or spring training baseball? You decide

Montini: How do we really fix Obamacare?

Montini: Supreme Court should order respect with their fries

Montini: Would you call Lori Piestewa a squaw?

Montini: Trump's actions take us back to 1988 Arizona

Montini: Arizona's Republican congressional delegation are lap dogs
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