Trump trial: Emotional Hope Hicks faces her former boss on 'Access Hollywood' tape, Stormy Daniels payment

Trump's former top aide was the top witness on Day 11 of his hush money trial.

Former President Donald Trump is on trial in New York City, where he is facing felony charges related to a 2016 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. It marks the first time in history that a former U.S. president has been tried on criminal charges.

Trump last April pleaded not guilty to a 34-count indictment charging him with falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment his then-attorney Michael Cohen made to Daniels in order to boost his electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election.


What to know about the hush money case

READ MORE: Here's what you need to know about the historic case.


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Davidson was investigated for Hogan extortion but not charged

Under cross-examination, Stormy Daniels' former attorney Keith Davidson testified that he attempted to negotiate a monetary offer from Hulk Hogan related to the release of an alleged sex tape.

"There was a monetary demand made," Davidson said while declining to provide specifics.

Davidson denied that he leaked any information about the alleged tape to the National Enquirer though Dylan Howard.

Davidson appeared to admit that he was investigated for extortion related to Hulk Hogan by the Tampa Police Department.

"They conducted an investigation, yes," Davidson said.

"An investigation related to extortion?" Bove asked.

"I believe so," Davidson said.

"You were not ultimately charged, right"" Bove asked.

"True," Davidson said.

When asked if he learned about extortion law from the experience, Davidson mumbled, "Perhaps, I don't know."


Defense's questioning of Davidson turns heated

Trump attorney Emil Bove's cross-examination of Stormy Daniels' former attorney Davidson turned heated as Bove asked Davidson about some of his previous cases.

Bove asked about his alleged involvement in a TMZ story related to Lindsey Lohan's treatment at a rehab facility.

"I don't recall that," Davidson.

Bove then asked Davidson about his clients related to Charlie Sheen.

"We asserted that there was tortious activity," Davidson said, adding there was some kind of settlement.

Bove then attempted to ask Davidson about the specifics of the settlement related to Sheen.

"I'm not going to answer that question," Davidson said. "I don't recall."

"Is it fair to say your memory seems a bit fuzzy?" Bove said.

Davidson appeared to be refusing to answer some questions while invoking attorney-client confidentiality.

"We're both lawyers here -- I'm not trying to play lawyer games with you," Bove said, telling Davidson he was just demanding truthful answers.

"You are getting truthful answers, sir," Davidson said bluntly.


Defense attorney suggests Davidson extorted Daniels payment

Defense attorney Emil Bove appeared to suggest that Keith Davidson, as Stormy Daniels' attorney, was committing extortion when he negotiated the Daniels payment. Bove asked whether the statute of limitations has run out for any extortion offenses.

"What does the word extortion mean to you?" Bove asked.

"Extortion is the attaining property by fear or threat of force," Davidson said.

"By 2016, you were pretty well versed in getting right up to the line without committing extortion?" Bove asked.

"I don't understand your question," Davidson said.

Bove asked Davidson about a 2012 state and federal extortion investigation related to Hulk Hogan.

"I familiarized myself with the law," Davidson said of the 2012 investigation "I did everything I could to make sure my activities were lawful."

Bove attempted to suggest that based on that past experience, Davidson intentionally avoided making overt threats related to the 2016 election when negotiating the Daniels payment.

"I made no threats to anyone," Davidson responded.


Davidson says he provided legal services without retainer

Under cross-examination, Keith Davidson agreed that he provided legal services to Stormy Daniels in 2011 when he sent a cease-and- desist letter to TheDirty.com when the website published allegations of an affair between Daniels and Trump.

"You were acting as Ms. Daniels' attorney?" Trump lawyer Emil Bove asked.

"Yes," Davidson responded, while noting there was no formal retainer agreement.

The defense has suggested Trump properly characterized his reimbursement to Michael Cohen, which sits at the heart of the case, as a legal expense because it was a payment to a lawyer.

Prosecutors have repeatedly said there was no retainer agreement between Trump and Cohen.


Judge won't let Trump be cross-examined over gag order

"We are going to call it a week at this time," Judge Merchan told the jury, dismissing them for the weekend.

The judge then gathered attorneys for both sides to continue the case's Sandoval hearing, begun last week, about the limit on Trump's potential testimony.

Defense attorney Todd Blanche objected to Trump being cross-examined on his gag order violations.

"Injecting into the cross-examination a finding by your honor beyond a reasonable doubt of contempt ... it puts a layer on top of the testimony," Blanche said. "It invites a sideshow that the People don't need."

Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo argued that the gag order violations are relevant to Trump's credibility because if he violated the gag order, he similarly might "violate his obligation to tell the truth."

"These findings are relevant to the defendant's credibility if he chooses to testify," he said.

Issuing his ruling, Merchan denied the prosecution's request to cross-examine Trump on the gag order violations, finding that a determination from the court would be too prejudicial for the jury to overlook.

"I agree with Mr. Blanche," Merchan said, ending the week's proceedings.