Another odd piece of the puzzle drops. Giuliani admitted that it was Trump himself who waved the attorney-client privilege for the Cohen tape where he’s talking about giving money to a Playboy model to shut up about their affair.
But.. why?
TRUMP/COHEN: Rudy Giuliani tells me the president waived attorney client privilege related to Cohen '16 recording of Trump talking about possible payment to Karen McDougal “It was already out there so seemed no point in objecting except on principle.”
— Kelly O'Donnell (@KellyO) July 21, 2018
Apparently Giuliani demanded attorney-client privilege for the tapes, then they completely walked it back on this issue. So. What’s going on!?
Giuliani had already said that the tape was exculpatory for Trump, meaning they would clear him of any criminal allegations.
Then Cohen’s lawyer, Lanny Davis blasted him for saying that:
Michael Cohen’s lawyer Lanny Davis is pushing back against Rudy Giuliani, who now represents President Donald Trump. Earlier Friday, Giuliani claimed that any tapes Cohen has of conversations with Trump would be “exculpatory” for the president.
“Obviously, there is an ongoing investigation, and we are sensitive to that,” Davis told The Daily Beast. “But, suffice it to say, that when the recording you are reading about is heard, it will not hurt Mr. Cohen. Any attempt to spin this story cannot change what is on the tape.”
This morning Trump hit Cohen AND the government (!) over the raiding of the offices and seizing of the tapes which are totally exculpatory:
Inconceivable that the government would break into a lawyer’s office (early in the morning) - almost unheard of. Even more inconceivable that a lawyer would tape a client - totally unheard of & perhaps illegal. The good news is that your favorite President did nothing wrong!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 21, 2018
AND Lanny Davis went after him for that too – but he doesn’t really say they’re lying, he just says the strategy is flawed.
The strategy of @realdonaldtrump @potus @RudyGiuliani is flawed; just as is #Trump’s false #Twitter statement made against @michaelcohen212 this morning. Rudy claims the tape is “exculpatory”. Why so angry?
— Lanny Davis (@LannyDavis) July 21, 2018
And to be honest, the strategy seems disjointed and not unified at all.
One theory is that Giuliani ACCIDENTALLY waved the client privilege by talking about the tape publicly, and now they’re just trying to make it look like it was on purpose.
Another theory is that they really do think there’s nothing damaging on the recording.
Of course, Dems just take it to mean he’s guilty:
There are really only 2 explanations here:
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) July 21, 2018
-The Putin Summit was such a disaster that @POTUS wanted to change the subject to a lesser disaster. (Being accused of a felony violation of campaign finance laws is less bad than treason).
-Or, Rudy Giuliani is a very bad attorney. https://t.co/rPNHj9dYmM
Speaking to Vanity Fair's Emily Jane Fox, @maddow confirms: Cohen's Trump tape was deemed privileged by the Special Master reviewing evidence in the case — but privilege was waved by Trump's legal team/Giuliani.
— Caroline Orr (@RVAwonk) July 21, 2018
So yea. This looks like an attempt to distract/change the narrative
The tape content was likely leaked by Trump side: 1) Giuliani immediately commented on it as exculpatory & waived privilege. 2) It wasn't available to Mueller. 3) Cohen wouldn't break privilege if he wants credibility. 3) Ask yourself who wanted to change subject from treason?
— Jeffrey Evan Gold (@jeffgoldesq) July 21, 2018
So. I dunno. WHAT’S ON THE TAPE??!?!?