On Tuesday, CNN released an audio tape of President Donald Trump and his former lawyer Michael Cohen discussing a possible payment to former Playboy model Karen McDougal, reports The Hill.

An Overview of the Released Audio Tape

Yesterday, Americans heard a portion of a 2016 conversation between the president and his former lawyer; during this time, Trump was running for office. Unbeknownst to Trump, his attorney recorded parts of their discussion, which is now public.

CNN managed to obtain the tape from Lanny Davis, who is currently serving as Cohen's attorney. The former longtime Trump lawyer is also ensnared in a variety of legal woes of his own. Months ago, the FBI raided Cohen's office and seized an assortment of documents regarding business forms, bank information and payments.

Although the tape is not of particularly high quality, there are certain clear excerpts. For instance, Trump and Cohen conversed about various "financing" matters. Cohen clearly affirms that he must "open up a company for the transfer of all of that info regarding our friend David."

This statement is believed to pertain to David Pecker. Pecker heads American Media Inc. (AMI), the company that McDougal claims bought the rights to her story about an alleged affair with Trump in 2006.

McDougal has also publicly stated that AMI offered false career promises in exchange for the rights to her account about the alleged affair. However, after McDougal sued AMI earlier this year, she now has the right to discuss what she says occurred between herself and Trump.

Following the "David" statement, Cohen mentions "we'll have to pay" before Trump says "Pay with cash." The attorney then responds by repeatedly telling Trump "no, no, no, no, no."

The Aftermath of the Released Audio Tape

Reactions from Americans have varied since CNN's public release of the audio tape. Some people have questioned the legality of Cohen secretly taping Trump. Others have cited the tape as an example of what they perceive as corruption and dishonesty from Trump.

Trump has not yet made any public statements regarding the released audio tape.