AT&T, which is in the midst of an attempt to buy CNN's parent company Time Warner, paid Cohen at least $200,000. Normally, in the course of a presidential campaign the corporate world makes sure that it has some ties to each of the candidates. The president -- any president -- has a profound impact on the corporate world. The corporate world, therefore, likes to know it has entree to the president's inner circle if they absolutely need it. Someone in large-sized company always knows someone in a big presidential campaign.

Source: CNN May 10, 2018 19:29 UTC