Don’t think we are being played.
Think the indictment threat is real.
I looked at New York election finance law at the time and Trump didn’t violate it because the dollar amount wasn’t over the limit.
Trump claimed it was paid to save his marriage. Given the cost of a Trump divorce, that argument is highly credible.
Rich men often have roving eyes. Americans generally tolerate it.
The term blackmail has been used. NY and CA district attorneys seem to have page deprived copies of their state criminal codes.