The hush money trial involving former President Donald Trump took a dramatic turn on day 10, with key moments that shed light on the ongoing legal battle. Here’s a rundown of the most significant events from the day:
Gag order hearing:
The prosecution accused Trump of violating a gag order in the case on four separate occasions, further escalating the tension in the courtroom. Prosecutor Christopher Conroy argued that Trump had knowingly and willfully disobeyed the court’s orders, seeking $1,000 for each alleged violation. Defense lawyer Todd Blanche portrayed Trump as a victim of media attacks and former lawyer Michael Cohen. The judge is yet to deliver a ruling on the matter.
Settlement signed using pseudonym:
Lawyer Keith Davidson testified that a settlement between Trump and Stormy Daniels was signed using the pseudonym “David Dennison,” allegedly referring to the former president. The settlement, which paid Daniels $130,000 to keep quiet about her alleged affair with Trump, was a focal point of the day’s proceedings.
Cohen ‘upset’ about article:
Davidson recalled Cohen’s distress over a Wall Street Journal article that exposed the payment arrangement with Karen McDougal just before the 2016 election. Cohen, believed to be referring to Trump as his boss, expressed frustration over the situation.
‘What have we done?’:
In a lighter moment, Davidson joked with National Enquirer editor-in-chief Dylan Howard about Trump’s election victory in 2016, questioning the impact of their actions. He also mentioned a phone call with a despondent Cohen post-election, where Cohen complained about not being reimbursed for the $130,000 payment to Daniels.
Cross-examination gets tense:
Tensions rose during the cross-examination as Trump’s lawyer Emil Bove challenged Davidson’s knowledge of Trump’s involvement in silencing his clients. Bove questioned Davidson on extortion law and previous cases involving soliciting money to suppress embarrassing stories, leading to a heated exchange.
2018 call between Cohen and Davidson:
A recorded conversation between Cohen and Davidson in 2018 was played in court, where Cohen mentioned Daniels experiencing “settler’s remorse” over her deal. Cohen denied allegations that Daniels aimed to leverage Trump through the agreement.
Forensic analyst called as witness:
The day concluded with forensic analyst Douglas Daus from the Manhattan district attorney’s office taking the stand briefly. He discussed data extraction methods and examined exhibits from Cohen’s iPhones as part of the investigation into Trump, hinting at more revelations to come.
The trial continues tomorrow, promising more twists and turns in the legal battle surrounding Trump’s hush money payments. Stay tuned for further updates on this high-profile case.