In the ongoing criminal trial involving hush money payments, lawyers representing Donald Trump sought to depict Keith Davidson, an attorney who represented Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal, as a questionable figure known for extorting wealthy celebrities on behalf of questionable clients. Jurors were presented with audio recordings, including one where Trump's former attorney, Michael Cohen, mentioned Trump expressing regret over the nondisclosure deal with Stormy Daniels.
The judge is considering contempt charges against Trump for violating a gag order by making statements about witnesses and the jury.
Key points from Day 10 of the trial include:
- Michael Cohen's practice of recording conversations, including one where he discussed Trump expressing regret over the Stormy Daniels deal.
- Testimony from a custodial witness about a recording of Trump discussing the purchase of Karen McDougal's story.
- Efforts by Trump's legal team to discredit Davidson by highlighting his past negotiations with celebrities, suggesting a pattern of extortion.
- Details revealed by Davidson about the hush payments, including efforts to protect Stormy Daniels from Cohen's threats.
- Trump's potential violation of the gag order by making public statements, which the judge is reviewing.
The trial focuses on whether Trump falsified business records to conceal reimbursement for the hush money payment, a charge which Trump denies.