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    Donald Trump hush money saga texts in full - as one message asks 'what have we done?'

    By Liam Buckler & Rudi Kinsella,

    14 days ago
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=36L3LZ_0sk3xvCX00

    Donald Trump's hush money saga has been laid bare with text messages revealing the moment Stormy Daniels's lawyer and publisher questioned "What have we done?" following Trump's shock victory in the 2016 presidential election.

    Keith Davidson, who represented Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal, both of whom alleged affairs with Donald Trump , was at the forefront of negotiations in the run-up to the election.

    Karen McDougal received a payout of £120,000 ($150,000) from the National Enquirer's parent company for her story rights.

    Stormy Daniels, on the other hand, was paid £120,000 ($150,000) by Michael Cohen, Trump's then-personal lawyer, shortly before the election. Despite the allegations, Trump denies any sexual encounters with the women and has entered a not guilty plea to 34 felony charges of business record falsification concerning reimbursements to Cohen for the payment to the adult film actress.

    During a New York trial, jurors were presented with emails, texts, and messages between Mr Davidson and Dylan Howard, the Enquirer's editor, on Tuesday, detailing their efforts to keep Ms Daniels, Davidson's former client, quiet about an alleged affair with Mr Trump.

    In a text exchange after taking on Playboy model McDougal as a client, Mr Davidson informed Mr Howard of a "blockbuster" Trump story, to which Howard replied that he would "get you more than ANYONE for it. You know why..", reports the Mirror .

    Prosecutors presented a text from Davidson dating back to July 2016, which stated: "Don't forget about Cohen. Time is of the essence. The girl is being cornered by the estrogen mafia."

    Further texts revealed Davidson's negotiations through Howard, as he sought a deal with AMI, believing the outlet to be more suitable than ABC News because it wouldn't require Ms McDougal to go public with her story.

    Davidson acknowledged that an agreement with AMI would also be advantageous for Trump in ensuring McDougal's silence. He jokingly texted Howard, "Throw in an ambassadorship for me. I'm thinking Isle of Man,".

    When questioned by a prosecutor about the meaning behind his message, Davidson explained, "That somehow if Karen did this deal with AMI, that it would help Donald Trump's candidacy."

    He clarified that he wasn't aware of any specific deal between AMI and Trump but was under the impression that AMI was backing Trump's campaign . "I need this to happen," Howard subsequently messaged Davidson.

    In the end, McDougal was paid $150,000 for the rights to her story, which the Enquirer did not publish. Davidson disclosed that he received a 45% cut of the payment.

    The conversation then shifted to Stormy Daniels' case , which also related to the notorious "Access Hollywood" tape.

    Upon the release of the "Access Hollywood" footage, Davidson sent Howard a blunt text: "Trump is f--ked."

    To which Howard replied: "wave the white flag, it's over people! ".

    Davidson revealed that AMI had initially agreed to buy Daniels' story for $120,000, but then pulled out, causing the deal to collapse. When a lawyer got involved, the price went up to $130,000.

    Davidson arranged the deal to ensure he got paid and mentioned that Cohen "stepped into AMI's shoes."

    The court also heard that Stormy Daniels was "offered a place on Celebrity Apprentice". In a 2016 text, Mr Davidson told Mr Howard that Trump "he (Trump) promised her a condo, a spot on apprentice and she went to the Miss America pageant."

    Additionally, the jury saw an urgent text from Mr Davidson to his tabloid contact on the morning after Trump's election victory, which read: "What have we done? " This was in reference to their alleged role in suppressing damaging stories about the then-presidential candidate.

    For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here .

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