During his testimony this week, Keith Davidson, a lawyer who represented women who claimed to have had sexual encounters with Donald J. Trump, revealed the dark world of tabloid news and celebrity hush money. The suspenseful question left hanging was whether the presidential candidate’s lawyer would make the payment as promised.
After a brief pause in the trial, Keith Davidson is set to continue his testimony on Thursday, shedding light on the hush-money payment central to the first criminal case against a U.S. president. The agreement involved his client, Stormy Daniels, who sought to share her story of a sexual encounter with Trump, and a $130,000 payment to ensure her silence, facilitated by Trump’s fixer, Michael D. Cohen.
Prosecutors have accused Trump of falsifying business records to conceal repayments to Cohen, disguising the checks as “legal expenses” from the Trump Organization. If convicted, Trump could face up to four years in prison. He has pleaded not guilty and denied any sexual relations with Daniels.
Davidson’s testimony on Tuesday concluded with doubts about Cohen’s commitment to deliver the $130,000 payment. Davidson described Cohen as unpredictable and easily distracted, comparing him to the dog in the movie “Up,” constantly chasing after a squirrel.
Before the day ended, Davidson mentioned that Cohen forwarded him an email from First Republic Bank to assure him of the imminent payment. In addition to Daniels, Davidson also represented Karen McDougal, a Playboy model who alleged an affair with Trump. McDougal received a $150,000 hush payment from the parent company of The National Enquirer, aimed at suppressing negative news about Trump before the 2016 election.
The former publisher of The National Enquirer, David Pecker, testified that he declined to make a similar deal for Daniels. “I am not a bank,” he stated during his testimony.
Prosecutors are expected to conclude their questioning of Davidson on Thursday, followed by cross-examination from Trump’s legal team.
Here are some key points to note about the trial:
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Before Thursday’s testimony, Judge Juan M. Merchan will conduct a hearing on four instances where prosecutors claim Trump violated a gag order by attacking witnesses and jurors. Justice Merchan previously found Trump in contempt of court for violating the order nine times, imposing a $9,000 fine. Read the contempt order here.
