Trump's week began with a low note: Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer, released to the public an audio tape of the two of them discussing hush money to be paid to Playboy model Karen McDougal, who allegedly had an affair with Trump in the mid-2000s. While some might find the contents of the tape embarrassing, it is no smoking gun, as current Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani was quick to point out. Trump blasted Cohen via Twitter: "What kind of a lawyer would tape a client? So sad! Is this a first, never heard of it before? Why was the tape so abruptly terminated (cut) while I was presumably saying positive things? I hear there are other clients and many reporters that are taped - can this be so? Too bad!" Sources are also reporting that Cohen can confirm that Trump knew in advance about the June 2016 meeting at Trump Tower in which Russians offer his campaign dirt on Hillary Clinton, and is willing to testify on the matter to Mueller's investigation. Giuliani disputed Cohen's claim.
Trump also caused a stir with a Tweet on Monday evening in which he threatened Iran. The Tweet - which Trump wrote all in capitals for emphasis - read: "To Iranian President Rouhani: NEVER, EVER THREATEN THE UNITED STATES AGAIN OR YOU WILL SUFFER CONSEQUENCES THE LIKES OF WHICH FEW THROUGHOUT HISTORY HAVE EVER SUFFERED BEFORE. WE ARE NO LONGER A COUNTRY THAT WILL STAND FOR YOUR DEMENTED WORDS OF VIOLENCE & DEATH. BE CAUTIOUS!" Some speculate that Trump fired off the Tweet in an attempt distract from the negative press surrounding his meeting with Putin last week. Some also worry that if this is a serious strategy - Trump's communications with North Korea were sometimes similarly vitriolic - it will prove problematic with Iran.
Good economic news at the end of the week smoothed over these bumps, however. Trump rode a wave of positivity, claiming that the 4.1% GDP growth in Q2 was of "historic" proportions, and taking full credit for what he called an "economic turnaround." While very good, 4.1% growth isn't exactly historic or unprecedented; indeed, it exceeded that rate four times during the Obama years alone. Trump's characterization of this as a "turnaround" is also not entirely accurate since this is the 10th straight year of growth for the US economy.
Trump also catered to the American heartland - his voter base - by saying that he would introduce $12 billion in aid to farmers to combat the negative effects of his tariff program.