Giuliani, Trump, and shaping the story

OK, folks.  We have one more version of Trump's repayment of the $130,000 to Michael Cohen . . . a la Giuliani.   Rudy now says that, yes, Trump was making monthly payments to Cohen to cover lots of things, including taxes.   He may not have known that Cohen was using some of the money to pay off Stormy Daniels -- so when Trump said he didn't know, that was literally true.

Rudy now says that he (Rudy) maybe learned that from co-counsel, not from Trump himself.   So when it was finally explained to Trump, his response, according to Rudy, was:

"Oh, my goodness.   I guess that's what that was for."

Ya think?   Does that sound like the Donald J. Trump we know?   Finding this out, he says, "Oh, my goodness"?????     I don't think so.

If it weren't so entertaining -- and possibly digging the trap for Trump ever deeper -- I'd strongly advise Rudy Giuliani to just shut up . . . and advise Donald Trump to get rid of him as his lawyer . . . now, if not sooner.   Don't let him go on Fox News even one more time.

New York Times columnist Gail Collins, with her usual bit of snark, put it this way:
". . . .  O.K., Trump base, how does that hit you?  It's not surprising that you've pretty much ignored the sex scandal.  But do you want a president who thinks of himself as a member of the untouchable elite folks [as Rudy portrayed him 2 days ago] -- who've got their own faithful retainers trotting at their heels, tossing out money to make unpleasant things like cranky ex-lovers go away?"

Collins continues:  "Giuliani's ability to put his foot in his mouth is so spectacular, you kind of expect him to be recruited by Cirque du Soleil.   In a sit-down with Sean Hannity, he threatened to 'get on my charger and go right into their offices with a lance' if investigators 'go after Ivanka.'  [After offering the excuse that 'she's his daughter,' Rudy sealed his rationale with]  'She's a fine lady.'  Asked about her husband, Giuliani said that Jared Kushner was probably 'a fine man. . . . But men are, you know, disposable.'"

Collins then played the feminism card, railing at Rudy for suggesting that a senior adviser to the president should be let off the hook because of her gender.  And she suggested that, as she claims to be a feminist, Ivanka should volunteer immediately to testify for Mueller "to strike a blow for equality."

Collins nailed Rudy on his odious chauvinism.   But, beyond that, is this a top-level lawyer you want thinking and speaking on your behalf?   Rudy Giuliani may have been what New York needed in the post 9/11 period (though I'm not convinced), and he may one time have been a competent prosecutor when he headed the New York federal division that's now going after Michael Cohen.    But Rudy is now an aging has-been flak, best suited for his role as bumbling clown on the Fox network.   Just keep him far away from the White House.   Trump can create his own chaos, without Rudy's help.

Or . . . ?   Silly me?    Maybe this is all an act, part of the "Rudy and Donny Act," the purpose being to throw out so many stories, create so much chaos, that it then becomes impossible to ever sort it out.

Good thing Robert Mueller is on the case.

Ralph