American Media, Inc. Responds To Comments Made By Attorney Peter Stris

Mr. Stris suggests that Karen "knew they were never going to publish" her alleged story of an extramarital relationship with President Trump. This is not true. At this time, no editorial decision has been finalized as to if, when, or how her story may be published.  The story is more valuable today than it was two years ago, and our editorial judgments often reflect that value.

Mr. Stris alleges that Karen "thought she was signing a legitimate modeling and writing contract." American Media stands by the contract it signed with Karen to produce health and wellness content and appear in its magazines. To date, Karen has produced more than 20 columns, appeared on the cover of Muscle & Fitness Hers, and been scheduled to appear on the cover of Men's Journal.  We also have featured Karen's photo shoot and exercise routines in our magazines as evidenced here.  We have featured Karen in a positive light at all times. 

Mr. Stris claims there has been a "coordinated campaign to convince Karen that she would be sued or her reputation would be besmirched if she told her truth." This is not true. American Media has never threatened to sue Karen.  To the contrary, without even contacting AMI to try to resolve any outstanding issues, Karen sued AMI.  When she requested professional public relations consulting to protect her public reputation, we provided Karen a consultant at our expense.  It has been in American Media's journalistic and business interests to protect Karen's public reputation, because she writes for and appears in our publications. 

Mr. Stris states that Karen has been "terrified to speak about her story for a year." On November 29, 2016, after the publication of an article in the Wall Street Journal, American Media amended Karen's contract to provide that she may respond to legitimate press inquiries concerning her relationship with President Donald Trump. She spoke with the New Yorker as a result of this amendment, is speaking with CNN, and is free to continue to speak to the press.

Mr. Stris claims that American Media, Inc. would be able to "silence her" in perpetuity. This is untrue. As previously stated, Karen has been free, has spoken freely, and remains free to speak regarding her story since the amendment made to her contract on 2016.  The only thing she is limited from doing under her contract with American Media is selling her story rights to another publisher or media outlet.  That is not "silencing" Karen.

Mr. Stris suggests that Karen wants to "correct the lies that American Media has told about her, her motivations, her honesty." At no time has American Media, Inc. or its executives made any statement regarding Karen's honesty or credibility.  Until Mr. Stris filed a lawsuit, we believed we had a constructive relationship with Karen and acted accordingly.

SOURCE American Media, Inc.

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