Discover the dark arts of tabloid media and their chokehold on political campaigns as we dissect the 'catch and kill' strategies that shielded figures like Donald Trump from scandalous headlines. Our journey through the shadows unveils the hefty sums exchanged to silence stories and the disturbing dance of truth and deception that whirls around power corridors. We're not just talking about hushed whispers; we delve into the unsettling intersection of personal indiscretions and public perception, where lie detector tests come to the fore in confirming the salacious.Feel the discomfort as we recount Trump's bizarre commentary about his daughter Ivanka and his transactional view on relationships. The episode doesn't shy away from the gritty details of Michael Cohen's testimony or the strategic plays to bury stories beneath a mountain of cash and denial. Through the fog of war in political reputation management, we see the patterns emerge—burned bridges, self-sabotage, and the long-term fallout of Trump's take-no-prisoners approach, deftly juxtaposed against the similar patterns of figures like Drake in the music industry.Finally, we cast a critical eye on the courtroom drama and the media circus that envelops it, focusing on Michael Cohen's pivot from a fiery legal eagle to a composed figure facing down his former boss. The episode rounds off with a contentious discussion about the legitimacy of Maggie Haberman's Pulitzer Prize, challenging the notions of journalistic integrity amidst the smoke and mirrors of political reporting. It's an episode packed with controversy, insight, and a raw look behind the curtain of power's compromising embrace.Support the Show.Support the show:https://www.buzzsprout.com/2003879/supportFollow our show's hosts on Twitter: twitter.com/@CoolTXchicktwitter.com/@Caroldedwinetwitter.com/taradublinrockstwitter.com/blackknight10ktwitter.com/@pardonpodFind Tara's book here:Taradublinrocks.comFind Ty's book here:Consequence of ChoiceSubscribe to Tara's substack:taradublin.substack.comSubscribe to Ty's substack:https://theworldasiseeit.substack.com/ Support Our Sponsor: Sheets & GigglesEucalyptus Sheets (Recommended):Sleep Mask (I use this every night)Eucalyptus Comfortor...