Trump trial: Trump hit with contempt, witnesses detail Stormy Daniels deal

Keith Davidson, the former attorney for Karen McDougal, testified about the meeting he arranged between McDougal and National Enquirer editor Dylan Howard.

"Ms. McDougal alleged that she had had a romantic affair with Donald Trump some years prior," Davidson said, referring to what McDougal shared during the meeting.

Asked on the stand whether the affair was sexual, Davidson replied: "That's what she expressed."

Howard told them he wanted to "return to New York and run it up on the flag pole" before making a decision about whether to purchase McDougal's story.

"It's a story that should be told," Davidson texted Howard on June 27, 2017, regarding the alleged affair.

"I agree," Howard responded.

Jurors then saw text messages from about a month after the Howard-McDougal meeting.

"Let's talk ... tomorrow. I think this is the entree for me to go back to them," Howard texted Davidson.

"Better to be quick," replied Davidson, who said on the stand that he was trying to play the National Enquirer against another media outlet to create a "sense of urgency."

"You were trying to convey that there was some urgency and Dylan Howard should act quickly?" prosecutor Josh Steinglass asked Davidson.

"That's fair," Davidson said.

With Keith Davidson, the former attorney for Karen McDougal, on the stand, jurors were shows text messages between him and National Enquirer editor Dylan Howard from 2016.

"I have a blockbuster Trump story," Davidson texted Howard on June 7, 2016

"Talk 1st thing. I will get you more than ANYONE for it. You Know why..." Howard responded.

"It was sort of an entree or teaser to Dylan," Davidson testified about the message, adding that he was aware of Pecker's relationship with Trump.

Jurors were then shown more text messages from June 10, 2016.

"Did he cheat on Melania?" Howard asked. "Do you know if the affair was during his marriage to Melania?"

"I really cannot say yet. Sorry," Davidson replied.

"OK. Keep me informed," said Howard.

Asked on the stand why he did not confirm it was an affair, Davidson said, "I was not prepared to discuss the details."

Keith Davidson testified that he represented Karen McDougal in the summer of 2016 when the former Playboy model entered into a non-disclosure agreement with AMI, the parent company of the National Enquirer.

Jurors were then showed the retainer agreement between Davidson and McDougal, which details McDougal’s “life rights related to interactions with Donald Trump and/or negotiating assignment of exclusive press opportunities regarding same.”

Davidson testified that he provided “legal services” to help the former Playmate negotiate with media outlets for the rights to her story about “a personal interaction she had -- allegedly had -- with Donald Trump."

“At the time ... media outlets, both traditional and tabloid, would often enter into an exclusive arrangement where someone would provide exclusive content to that outlet in exchange for money,” Davidson said.

Davidson told Steinglass that he did not go behind McDougal's back when he arranged the agreement with AMI for the rights to her story

Prosecutors called to the stand Keith Davidson, who worked as an attorney for both Karen McDougal and Stormy Daniels when the hush money payments to both women were arranged.

Trump, at the defense table, turned his head to see Davidson as he entered the courtroom.

Davidson, who was granted immunity to testify, said that that he has set up nondisclosure agreements for some of his clients, including some with tabloids.

Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass asked Davidson about his relationship with former National Enquirer editor Dylan Howard. Earlier, former Enquirer publisher David Pecker testified that Davidson was one of Howard's sources.

"I knew him in my professional dealings," Davidson said. "We were professional acquaintances and friends."

Davidson said he first met Michael Cohen in 2011 after a blog was posted about Stormy Daniels -- who was Davidson's client -- and Donald Trump.

"Michael Cohen is the former attorney for Donald Trump," Davidson recounted.