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Keith Davidsonlawyer for Stormy Danielsis testifying in Donald Trump’s secret trials.
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He drafted statements for Daniels denying an affair with Trump.
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Davidson said the statements are “technically” true because the relationship was not “romantic.”
Sexual? Clear. Romantic? That’s another thing.
Keith Davidson – the lawyer who brokered a secret settlement for Stormy Daniels over the affair she says she had with Donald Trump — continued his testimony at the former president’s criminal trial in Manhattan, on Thursday.
Under questioning from prosecutor Joshua Steinglass, Davidson discussed some statements made by Daniels in January 2018. At that time, The Wall Street Journal was publishing a series of stories about the affair between the porn star and Trump, and the contract she signed that it was designed to keep her quiet before the 2016 presidential election.
On the recommendation of Trump’s personal lawyer, michael cohenDavidson wrote a “strong denial” on Daniels’ behalf, which would deny the existence of a hush money deal as well as the case itself.
Daniels affixed his signature to the letter, published on January 10, 2018 – but Davison testified that he wrote it himself.
“TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I recently became aware that certain media outlets are alleging that I had a sexual and/or romantic affair with Donald Trump many, many, many years ago,” the statement began. “I am stating with complete clarity that this is absolutely false.”
Davidson testified Thursday that “an extremely strict reading of this statement would be technically true” based on how he would analyze “affair,” “romantic” and “and/or.”
“I don’t believe anyone has ever claimed that any interaction between her and Mr. Trump was romantic,” Davidson said, drawing laughter from the packed courtroom.
These letters, Davidson explained, served as a “tactic” for lawyers fighting with the press to try to throw them off a story.
Asked by Steinglass if “there was a sexual encounter” between Daniels and Trump, Davidson said he believed so.
“That was my understanding,” he said.
Davidson also said the denial of the rumored claim that Daniels “received hush money” from Trump was also true because he “would never use that word.”
“There was no secret money. It was a consideration in a civil settlement,” Davidson said.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office accused Trump of violating criminal business record-keeping laws 34 times by disguising reimbursements to Cohen, who paid the hush money to Daniels on Trump’s behalf.
Trump pleaded not guilty to the charges and blamed Cohen, saying he organized the payments.
Davidson testified Thursday about the chaotic atmosphere surrounding the hush-money agreement. Cohen repeatedly pushed back payment deadlines before the 2016 election, he said. And on election night, when the results pointed to Trump winning the presidency, Davidson was surprised.
“What did we do?” Davidson sent a text message to National Enquirer editor Dylan Howard on election night.
The deal between Trump and Daniels remained dormant until early 2018, when the Journal prepared to publish its stories revealing the scandal to the public. Cohen worked around the clock trying to keep the narrative in check, sending text messages “with little regard for my schedule,” Davidson testified.
When the 2018 State of the Union address occurred on Jan. 30, Daniels saw an opportunity to reinvigorate her career as an adult film actress and director, he said.
She was scheduled to appear on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
Cohen insisted that Daniels publish another statement, with yet another denial of the affair.
Davidson crafted the statement with Daniels in the Marilyn Monroe suite at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, which Kimmel’s production team reserved for his crew. It referred to an “alleged sexual relationship” with Trump.
“I am not denying this case because I received ‘hush money’ as has been reported in foreign tabloids,” the statement read. “I’m denying this case because it never happened.”
Davidson explained on Thursday that he thought the statement was “technically true” because of how he personally defined “relationship.”
“I don’t think anyone ever claimed there was a relationship between Stormy Daniels and Donald Trump,” he said. “I believe a relationship is an ongoing interaction.”
daniels retracted both statements in late 2018saying he agreed to them only because of the confidentiality agreement and believed he had no choice but to do them.
She has also previously said that her interactions with Trump were neither “romantic” nor an “affair.”
“It wasn’t romantic” she testified at a different trial. “I don’t consider being cornered when leaving the bathroom an affair.”
Read the original article at Business Insider
