Here’s a list of all the contradictory statements made since January by President Trump and his attorney on the settlement paid to an adult-film actress. The University of Utah announces plan to build a center dedicated to Sen. Orrin Hatch. Rep. Chris Stewart hosts a raucous town hall in West Valley City.
Happy Thursday. Rudy Giuliani, who recently joined President Donald Trump’s legal team, said Wednesday night that Trump reimbursed his attorney Michael Cohen for a $130,000 settlement with an adult-film actress. The president confirmed the payments in an extraordinary series of tweets this morning, suggesting at the end that “money from the campaign, or campaign contributions, played no roll [sic] in this transaction.” Previously, the president has asserted that he was unaware of any settlement. Take a look back at all of the conflicting statements made since January from Trump, Cohen and White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders on the payment. [NYTimes]
Topping the news: The University of Utah will build a center honoring U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch in downtown Salt Lake City. The facility will be, in part, a repository of Hatch’s personal library of legislative records. [Trib]
-> South Salt Lake never wanted to host a homeless shelter, but if an upcoming construction deadline is not met, the state may step in and intervene anyway. [Trib]
-> Rep. Chris Stewart, R-Utah, hosted a rowdy town hall in West Valley City on Wednesday night where he shouted over constituents and defended President Donald Trump against potential impeachment charges. [Trib]
Tweets of the day: From @aedwardslevy: “is it still considered hush money if literally no one will stop talking about it”
-> From @ryanbeckwith: “Idea: No Mueller interview with Trump, but in exchange everyone on his team gives hourlong softball interviews where they accidentally admit stuff.”
In other news: U.S. House Speaker Paul Ryan will be the keynote speaker for a ceremony in Salt Lake City to honor Sen. Orrin Hatch. [DNews] [ABC4]
-> The EPA is offering Utah nearly $13 million to address its long-standing air quality concerns, particularly wood smoke. [Trib] [DNews] [KSL]
-> The Farmington City Council voted unanimously to approve an agricultural protection for a 23-acre farm that was under threat of becoming a city park with soccer fields. [Trib]
-> The Sandy City Council rejected a proposal that would limit local officeholders to two terms. [Trib]
-> Could tiny homes help Utah’s dire housing shortage? [Trib]
-> Pat Bagley depicts the greatest threat to the news industry. [Trib]
-> Robert Gehrke compiles another, less-than-official list of questions special counsel Robert Mueller should ask President Donald Trump: “Were you surprised the villain in ‘The Avengers: Infinity War’ was named Trumpos and his plot to destroy The Avengers consisted largely of conspiring with evil Russians?“ [Trib]
Nationally: White House lawyer Ty Cobb left his position and will be replaced by Emmet Flood, the same attorney who represented Bill Clinton during his impeachment process. [WaPost]
-> Special Counsel Robert Mueller floated the idea of a presidential subpoena when speaking with the president’s legal team. [Trib]
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— Courtney Tanner and Eric Baker
Follow @sltribpolitics