Jurors hear secret recording of Trump discussing payment to former Playboy model
May 2, 2024
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NPR correspondent Andrea Bernstein joins to discuss dramatic audio of Trump and Cohen talking about payments to former Playboy model. Topics include Davidson's testimony, tape played for the jury, and the combative cross-examination. Dive into the details of the hush money settlements with Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal, including Michael Cohen's involvement and post-election night concerns.
Trump's defense highlights lack of direct contact between Trump and Davidson in Stormy Daniels payment case.
Davidson's testimony reveals Cohen's frustration over payment and pivotal tape conversation about arrangements with Trump.
Deep dives
Keith Davidson's Testimony and Deal with Stormy Daniels
Keith Davidson, Stormy Daniels' former lawyer, testified at Donald Trump's criminal trial in New York. Davidson detailed the agreement between Stormy Daniels and the pseudonym David Denison for Trump. He revealed that after no payment was made by Trump's attorney Michael Cohen, the deal was called off until Cohen eventually paid $130,000. Davidson's testimony hinted at post-election events involving falsifying business records.
Davidson's Insights on Trump's Knowledge of Payments
During the trial, Davidson mentioned a phone call where Cohen expressed frustration about not being paid back by Trump. Davidson also recalled a tape where Cohen discussed arrangements with Trump regarding payments. The defense challenged the evidence by emphasizing that Trump never signed the agreement and that Davidson had no direct contact with Trump before. The case raises questions about whether Trump was aware of the payments to Stormy Daniels.
Stormy Daniels' former attorney Keith Davidson wrapped up his testimony on Thursday in the criminal trial of former President Donald Trump.
The jury heard some dramatic audio of Trump and his former lawyer Michael Cohen talking about payments to former Playboy model Karen McDougal and Daniels. But the defense became combative in cross-examining Davison.
Topics include: - Davidson's testimony - Tape of Trump and Cohen played for the jury - What's next for proceedings