“If you get into paying hush money, there are consequences — or at least some indication that there might be something that you don’t want exposed, and therefore something that had to be looked into,” former FBI Assistant Director Joseph Lewis, a 30-year FBI veteran, told the paper.

In Trump’s case, not only Daniels, the adult video star, but Karen McDougal — a former Playboy Playmate of the Year — has also claimed to have had a sexual relationship with Trump, and been paid off to keep it quiet. In McDougal’s case, the payment of $150,000 came through the National Enquirer, owned by Trump’s close friend David Pecker.