“TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I recently became aware that certain news outlets are alleging that I had a sexual and/or romantic affair with Donald Trump many, many, many years ago,” the statement started. “I am stating with complete clarity that this is absolutely false.”
Davidson testified that depending on one’s definition of “affair,” “romantic,” and “and/or,” “an extremely strict reading of this statement would technically be true.”
Davidson’s statement, “I do not think that anyone had ever alleged that any interaction between she and Mr. Trump was romantic,” caused the courtroom audience to erupt in laughter.
He said that letters such as the one he sent are a “tactic” used by attorneys to derail news stories before they even get started.
If “there was a sexual encounter” between Trump and Daniels, Steinglass questioned Davidson about it. The attorney said, “That was my understanding.”
In addition, Daniels’ attorney said that he “would never use” the term “hush-money” to refer to the sums paid to his client. According to Davidson, “it was a consideration in a civil settlement agreement.”
Michael Cohen was the one who paid the “hush money” to the adult film actress on behalf of the New York businessman, and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has accused Trump of breaking felony business-recordkeeping regulations 34 times by hiding payments to Cohen.
Declaring that Cohen was the one who organized the payments, Trump has pled not guilty to the charges, denied any criminal activity, and placed the responsibility directly on Cohen.
Davidson said that he wrote the statement with Daniels when they were staying at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel’s Marilyn Monroe Suite in preparation for an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! There was talk of a “said sexual relationship” between the statement and Trump.
“I am not denying this affair because I was paid ‘hush money’ as has been reported in overseas-owned tabloids,” the statement said. “I am denying this affair because it never happened.”
Thursday, Davidson reiterated why, in his own words, he believed the remark to be “technically true” based on his own definition of “relationship.” “I do not think anyone had ever alleged that there was a relationship with Stormy Daniels and Donald Trump,” he said. “I believe a relationship is an ongoing interaction.”