The Journal. The Origin Story of Trump's Guilty Verdict
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May 31, 2024 
Joe Palazzolo, an investigative reporter at The Wall Street Journal known for covering Trump’s hush-money case, joins legal reporter Corinne Ramey as they dive into the guilty verdict against the former president. They explore the origins of the investigation, detailing the complexities of media tactics and significant journalistic breakthroughs. Ramey recounts the courtroom drama as the verdict was announced, discussing its political repercussions and implications for future elections and Trump’s fundraising efforts.
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The McDougal Investigation
- Joe Palazzolo's team received a tip about a lawyer paying off women alleging affairs with Trump.
- This led them to Karen McDougal's story and a "catch and kill" contract with the National Enquirer.
Connecting Stormy Daniels
- Trump's team initially dismissed the McDougal story.
- Palazzolo's team then connected Stormy Daniels to Trump through a celebrity golf tournament photo and reports of a meeting.
Connecting Michael Cohen
- Palazzolo's team linked Michael Cohen to hush money payments through a Delaware shell company, Essential Consultants LLC.
- They meticulously searched records, aided by a source's tip.