# Manhattan Prosecutors file criminal charges for Trump re Stormy Daniels case - ongoing discussion here (Guilty on all 34 counts, May 30, 2024) **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [March 9, 2023, 10:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953 "2023-03-09T22:53:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 138
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2741 "2024-05-02T17:05:57Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > “If you’re not here to play legal games, then don’t say ‘extract,’” Davidson told Bove What’s the issue with “extract”? ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2742 "2024-05-02T17:18:48Z")
Eric Trump showing up in court-good or bad? > **[Did Eric Trump’s presence in court actually help his dad’s case?](https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/trump-trial-eric-family-man-rcna150264)** > > The former president keeps seeming to change his courtroom conduct to mute media criticism, but the younger Trump was the one who just seemed like a genuine family man. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2743 "2024-05-02T17:19:27Z")
Negative connotations. The defence is going for “sleazy lawyer “ extracting all sorts of things from everyone. Remember he got a large percentage of the mcdougal money from Ami. Per cnn: One of Donald Trump’s attorneys, Emil Bove, is asking Davidson about how he retained actress and model Karen McDougal as a client. Bove notes that the attorney, who negotiated McDougal’s hush money deal, was referred by her brother-in-law, who was Davidson’s former client. Bove asks Davidson whether the agreement was ever actually signed by McDougal. “It’s my recollection I had a fully executed retention agreement with Ms. McDougal,” Davidson says. The initial retainer agreement said the attorney’s fee would be 35%, though Davidson testified he received 45%. Bove goes on to question Davidson about how McDougal’s brother-in-law and another man who provided security were paid in the agreement. Davidson says the other players in the deal who aren’t lawyers were not paid out of his own cut ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2744 "2024-05-02T17:23:57Z")
Would the jury even know who he is? It’s just a guy in the full gallery. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2745 "2024-05-02T17:27:00Z")
I think the intent is to show the media that he’s got loyal family. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2746 "2024-05-02T17:31:32Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > Remember when Gary Hart bombed out because of a little Monkey Business? Those were the days. I remember Republicans criticizing Al Gore when it was discovered that he made a fundraising call on a White House telephone. I believe Gore apologized and reimbursed the government the cost of the call. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2747 "2024-05-02T18:05:21Z")
Per cnn: Keith Davidson, Stormy Daniels’ former attorney, was connected at some point in past years with potential controversies involving various celebrities. It’s something Trump attorney Emil Bove brought up while questioning Davidson. Actor **Charlie Sheen** , former professional wrestler **Hulk Hogan** , Filipino former professional boxer **Manny Pacquiao,** and TV and social media personality **Tila Tequila** were among the celebrities mentioned in court. **Here’s why Bove is asking about celebrities:** - Questioning Davidson’s character as a witness - Showing Davidson’s “fuzzy” memory around details - Trying to paint a darker motive, or possible extortion "Your memory seems a little fuzzy around some of these issues,” Bove jabs at Davidson ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2748 "2024-05-02T18:28:11Z")
Jesus. Trump’s team is now grilling the witness about the boyfriend of Gina Rodriquez, who was Stormy Daniels’ manager, who may have worked for a gossip website. Relevance? I can’t wait for them to bring in a picture of Chewbacca. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2749 "2024-05-02T18:28:55Z")
And now Trump is having another little nap. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2750 "2024-05-02T18:34:36Z")
Per cnn: Trump attorney [Susan Necheles](https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-hush-money-trial-05-02-24/h_48346aa4b29ec74175ddabbec5886fd4) is raising an issue involving the [gag order](https://www.cnn.com/politics/live-news/trump-hush-money-trial-05-02-24?tab=Gag%20Order)before testimony resumes, providing the judge a stack of newspaper articles from legal commentators. They are all articles that Trump would like to post on his Truth Social account, Necheles says. “We think they are perfectly fine. We think there is ambiguity in the gag order,” Necheles says. Prosecutor Chris Conroy says his team would need to go through the articles. “It seems odd they’re asking the court for an advance ruling,” he said. Merchan says he “appreciates what you’re bringing to my attention,” but says he’s not going to be in the position of looking in advance at Truth Social posts. Merchan says he has already ruled, and the appeals court has “found nothing wrong” with the gag order. > “If in doubt, steer clear,” Merchan tells them, adding, “There is no ambiguity, I believe, in the order.” When Necheles tries to argue there was ambiguity, Merchan cut her off: "I’m not going to argue with you, Ms. Necheles ---
**Author:** ![Kelby2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ebca7d/32.png) [@Kelby2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kelby2)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2751 "2024-05-02T18:34:55Z")
> [@Euphonious\_Polemic](#): > > And now Trump is having another little nap. Big lunch. Many hamberders. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 6:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2752 "2024-05-02T18:36:53Z")
Former President Donald Trump on Thursday said he didn’t fall asleep in court – he just sometimes closed his eyes. “Contrary to the FAKE NEWS MEDIA, I don’t fall asleep during the Crooked D.A.’s Witch Hunt, especially not today. I simply close my beautiful blue eyes, sometimes, listen intensely, and take it ALL in!!!” Trump [posted on Truth Social](https://truthsocial.com/users/realDonaldTrump/statuses/112372819456433498). Trump has repeatedly closed his eyes and leaned back during the trial, including minutes after this most recent social media post. Cat scaring snort. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2753 "2024-05-02T19:05:13Z")
On to redirect. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 7:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2754 "2024-05-02T19:17:06Z")
That was quick. We get a new one. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2755 "2024-05-02T19:23:00Z")
The defence is on recross. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2756 "2024-05-02T19:23:17Z")
Is this real? Not clicking on that link… ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2757 "2024-05-02T19:23:45Z")
> [@rocking\_chair](#): > > Keith Davidson, Stormy Daniels’ former attorney, was connected at some point in past years with potential controversies involving various celebrities. Davidson is all kinds of sleazy. > [@](#): > > Keith Davidson has made a career of selling—or trying to sell—sex tapes and other dirt back to celebrities, who’ve ponied up to prevent Davidson’s clients from releasing their mortifying secrets to the media. > > Called [“the ‘Better Call Saul’ of D-list celebrities,”](http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/02/lawyer-for-trumps-mistresses-turns-sex-scandals-into-cash.html) Davidson represented a woman soliciting cash for a sex tape of _Austin Powers_ actor Verne Troyer. He also tried to profit off a sex tape of reality-TV star Tila Tequila, who sued him. > > [The Smoking Gun](http://thesmokinggun.com/documents/investigation/keith-davidson-profile-907453?page=0,0) reported Davidson beefed up his client rolodex of Hollywood hangers-on with the help of TMZ co-founder Mike Walters. Walters and TMZ employees enjoyed Davidson’s legal services in return, according to the report. > > One hot tip Walters allegedly delivered to Davidson was the Hulk Hogan sex tape. > **[Meet Keith Davidson, the Sex-Tape Lawyer Who Worked With Michael Cohen to...](https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-sex-tape-lawyer-who-worked-with-michael-cohen-to-silence-trumps-women)** > > Keith Davidson, the ex-lawyer for Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal, enjoyed a seemingly cozy relationship with Michael Cohen dating back years. Now he’s cooperating with the feds. Although he represented Stormy Daniels, he wasn’t necessarily her advocate. In fact, he and Cohen colluded together to ensure that she did not sell her story elsewhere (she later sued Davidson, although at that point she was being taken advantage of by her next lawyer, Michael Avenatti) > **[Stormy Daniels files new lawsuit, alleging old lawyer 'colluded' with Michael...](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/06/06/stormy-daniels-lawsuit-keith-davidson-puppet-cohen-trump/677993002/)** > > Adult film star Stormy Daniels filed a new lawsuit Wednesday, alleging her former attorney who represented her in a hush agreement with President Trump and his personal attorney betrayed her and instead acted as a "puppet" for the two. I’m sure the defense is loving the fact that they can show this guy to be shady, salacious, and a shark. But, at the end of the day, the DA is surely to argue some version of > [@](#): > > Sure, these people are despicable. But do you really think it stopped at Cohen and Davidson? Or is this just the type of people that donald Trump associated himself with? Meanwhile, I can’t help but wonder if these jurors are reflecting on their memories of the 2016 election. If they were even casually aware, they likely recall all of the hand wringing over Clinton’s scandals. I wonder how many are incensed over finding out about the dishonest machinations happening in Donald’s camp at the same time. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2758 "2024-05-02T19:25:02Z")
Yep. The reports of him with his eyes close has gotten under the blue eyed man’s skin. Davidson is done. Next witness… Doug daus who is a witness to authenticity of prosecution exhibit. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2759 "2024-05-02T19:48:18Z")
Douglas Daus said he was assigned to analyze two iPhones in the investigation related to Donald Trump: an iPhone 6s and an iPhone 7. The cell phones belonged to Michael Cohen, Daus said. One of the phones had a gold case, he confirmed Rc: of course it did. ---
**Author:** ![hajario](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hajario/32/171_2.png) [@hajario](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hajario)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2024, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953/2760 "2024-05-02T19:48:57Z")
They are now able to enter Cohen’s texts into evidence. The first is between Cohen and Hicks [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953.md?page=137) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/manhattan-prosecutors-file-criminal-charges-for-trump-re-stormy-daniels-case-ongoing-discussion-here-guilty-on-all-34-counts-may-30-2024/980953.md?page=139)