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Donald Trump’s hush money trial got back underway with further testimony from Gary Farro, the banker for former Trump fixer Michael Cohen who took the stand at the end of last week. Cohen was instrumental in making a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels to cover up an alleged affair with Mr Trump.
Judge Juan Merchan began proceedings began on Tuesday by saying he would give the trial a day off to allow Mr Trump to attend his son Barron Trump’s high school graduation before ruling that he found the former president in contempt of court on nine of the first ten violations of the gag order, fining him $1,000 for each.
Further violations may result in “an incarceratory punishment”.
Meanwhile, over the weekend Mr Trump met with Ron DeSantis to resolve their differences after a bruising primary rivalry. The Florida governor’s campaign for the GOP nomination ended in disappointment and the former president now hopes to capitalise on his influence with Sunshine State conservative donors.
The Independent’s Alex Woodward is covering Mr Trump’s trial at Manhattan Criminal Court and will be bringing us regular updates…
We see more messages, from June 10 and 12:
Howard: Did he cheat on Melania?
Howard: Do you know if the affair was during his marriage to Melania?
Davidson: I really can’t say yet. Sorry
“I was not prepared to discuss the details at that point,” Davidson says now.
Howard: OK. Keep me informed.
Alex Woodward30 April 2024 17:35
On 7 June 2016, Davidson messaged Howard: “I have a blockbuster trump story”.
“It was sort of an entree or a teaser to Dylan to let him know perhaps I had an opportunity for him,” Davidson says. “Regarding the interaction between Karen McDougal and Donald Trump.”
Howard responded: “Talk 1st thing. I will get you more than ANYONE for it. You know why…”
What did that last part mean?
“I don’t know if I had a clear understanding at that time but I knew Dylan’s boss David Pecker and Mr Trump were longtime friends,” Davidson says.
Alex Woodward30 April 2024 17:33
The agreement retains him for “claims against Donald Trump and/or assisting client in negotiating a confidentiality agreement and or life rights related to interactions with Donald Trump and/or negotiating assignment of exclusive press opportunities regarding same.”
“At that time in mid-2000 teens or so, media outlets both traditional and tabloid would oftentimes enter into exclusive arrangements … in exchange for money,” Davidson says.
Asked if that gave him permission to negotiate on his client’s behalf, he agrees.
Alex Woodward30 April 2024 17:29
Davidson first met 1998 Playboy playmate of the year Karen McDougal “probably 25 years ago.”
“She was dating a friend of mine,” he says.
By the summer of 2016, “I represented her in order to provide advice and counsel … regarding personal interactions she had.”
With whom? “Donald Trump.”
We see an email from 15 June 2016 with an introduction and a copy of a retainer agreement for her to sign.
Alex Woodward30 April 2024 17:25
Asked if he knows Dylan Howard, Davidson says: “Dylan Howard was the former content editor I believe, or chief content officer, at American Media Inc … I knew him in my professional dealings. … We were professional acquaintances and friends.”
“On occasion” his clients would “end up” in tabloid media, he says.
Would he negotiate the sale of certain stories? “Rarely.”
On David Pecker: “In my life, I maybe interacted with him three maybe four times.”
When he began interacting with Michael Cohen, his client at the time was “Stephanie Clifford, otherwise known as Stormy Daniels.”
Alex Woodward30 April 2024 17:18
New witness: Keith Davidson
The next witness is called by prosecutors — Keith Davidson.
Davidson, 53, is a lawyer who represented Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal in negotiating deals with AMI to sell their stories of alleged affairs with Mr Trump and obtain NDAs.
Ms Daniels later accused Mr Davidson of colluding with Cohen to keep her silent.
Alex Woodward30 April 2024 17:11
New witness: Phillip Thompson
After the entry of the video clips into evidence, a new witness is called: Phillip Thompson with Esquire Deposition Solutions, a court reporting company.
In this deposition, Trump was asked about the Access Hollywood tape, and if he could confirm that his voice was on the tape. Jurors just saw the transcript in which he acknowledged that it was him.
No further questions. He’s off the stand.
Alex Woodward30 April 2024 17:07
Ex-Trump White House aide says she ‘has no choice but to support Biden’
Former deputy press secretary Sarah Matthews joined Atlantic writer McKay Coppins on Jen Psaki’s show on Monday to explain why she feels she can no longer support her former boss, unlike other GOP critics like Mitch McConnell and Bill Barr.
Oliver O’Connell30 April 2024 17:00
C-SPAN was subpoenaed for clips from three Trump events in 2016 and 2017.
In the video, he says “I no idea who these women are. I have no idea,” calling their stories “total fiction” and “100 per cent made up, they never happened, they never would happen.”
“I don’t know who these people are,” he said. “It’s a total set-up. Now suddenly after many many years, phony accusers come out before the most important election.”
And now clips from this event at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, where he says women “lied” and the stories are a “total fabrication.”
“The events never happened,” he said.
Alex Woodward30 April 2024 16:48
Oliver O’Connell30 April 2024 16:45
