During the ongoing trial, it was revealed that lawyer Keith Davidson claimed the hush money paid to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougall was intended to protect Trump's campaign. A secret recording by Michael Cohen discussing the payment was also played. Trump's legal team questioned Davidson's credibility for spreading celebrity dirt and Cohen's history of lying. Despite trial constraints, Trump managed to campaign by squeezing events between courtroom appearances, criticizing the trial for interfering with his election.