Less than two weeks before the 2016 election, a text message from lawyer Keith Davidson confirmed a transaction that prosecutors say may have saved Donald Trump’s candidacy. The message, which read “Funds received,” was related to a hush-money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels to prevent her from going public with a damaging story about Trump. This evidence was presented during Trump’s criminal trial, where he faces charges for trying to disguise reimbursements to his former lawyer Michael Cohen.
During the trial, Davidson was accused of being a serial extortionist by a defense lawyer. Davidson admitted to having familiarized himself with extortion law but denied crossing any legal lines. The intense questioning and cross-examination revealed details of Davidson’s interactions with celebrities like Tila Tequila and Charlie Sheen where he allegedly sought financial gain through scandal. The trial also delved into the efforts to keep extramarital affair allegations involving Trump out of the public eye.
Davidson’s testimony painted a picture of the celebrity world in Los Angeles, with meetings held in exclusive hotel suites and the crafting of denials regarding Trump’s affairs. Davidson and Cohen’s contentious relationship was also highlighted, with Davidson describing Cohen as aggressive and unpleasant. Cohen’s despondency after the 2016 election was also discussed, adding another layer to the dynamics between the key figures in the case.
The trial proceedings shed light on the conflict between Davidson and Cohen, as well as Trump’s dissatisfaction with Cohen after the election. Trump’s attacks on Cohen in court and online have been a recurring theme, with prosecutors hoping to neutralize the impact of damaging information by revealing it early in the trial. Despite Trump’s complaints about the trial impacting his campaign and accusations against those involved in the prosecution, his demeanor in court has been subdued.
Trump’s presence in court has been low-key compared to his public appearances, where he continues to rally supporters with claims of election fraud and attacks on the judiciary and prosecutors. During cross-examination, Davidson portrayed Trump as orchestrating the payment to Daniels, with the defense highlighting that Davidson had never met Trump. The significance of the hush-money payment in Trump’s presidential bid was emphasized by prosecutors, who focused on the interactions between Davidson, Cohen, and the editor of The National Enquirer in the aftermath of the election.
