Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

BumRushDaShow

(130,357 posts)
Thu May 9, 2024, 06:11 PM May 9

Karen McDougal, who alleges affair with Trump, won't testify in hush money trial

Source: Scripps News

Posted at 11:41 AM, May 09, 2024


Shortly after Stormy Daniels left the witness stand on Thursday in the hush money trial involving former President Donald Trump in New York, defense attorney Todd Blanche announced that Karen McDougal would not be called to testify.

McDougal, a former Playboy model who allegedly had an affair with the former president and received payment to maintain confidentiality, would have been a crucial witness, as her absence from testifying now leaves Daniels as the sole woman presenting claims of being paid to conceal sexual affairs with Trump.

Daniels was on the stand for a couple of hours on Thursday. It was the second time this week she testified in the trial.

The adult film actress is considered a key figure in the trial as prosecutors attempt to prove Trump illegally falsified business records to influence the 2016 presidential election by trying to cover up extramarital affairs.

Read more: https://www.scrippsnews.com/politics/trump-indictments/stormy-daniels-trump-lawyer-have-tense-exchange-as-testimony-resumes

10 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

hlthe2b

(102,632 posts)
1. I definitely think they don't need her and to bring her on would be a distraction from
Thu May 9, 2024, 06:13 PM
May 9

all the prior testimony. I think they need to keep things really tight from now through Michael Cohen's appearance to closing arguments. Just close the loops and tie everything together in a memorable, concise, narrative.

appmanga

(599 posts)
8. The prosecution had to thinking...
Thu May 9, 2024, 07:34 PM
May 9

...about the Harvey Weinstein appeal and decided, probably with the judge's admonition, her appearance could be prejudicial rather than probative.

BumRushDaShow

(130,357 posts)
6. From what I saw from the news sites doing "live updates"
Thu May 9, 2024, 06:30 PM
May 9

the prosecution decided not to call her and informed the defense, but the defense decided to go out in front of the media to "announce".

303squadron

(565 posts)
4. This is a documents case
Thu May 9, 2024, 06:23 PM
May 9

And the prosecution has the documents. Stormy provided a logical reason why the documents exist. Karen McDougal's testimony is not needed.

viva la

(3,380 posts)
5. I know-- it's not needed, it would be distracting...
Thu May 9, 2024, 06:26 PM
May 9

but what fun to see Trump squirm and fume.
And then I imagine him making his 10-second appearance at Barron's graduation, and Melania kicking him out.
Karen McDougall wasn't just a fling partner. She said they were involved for a year, and that Trump said he loved her.

JT45242

(2,334 posts)
7. Pecker already said he paid to kill McDougall story
Thu May 9, 2024, 06:33 PM
May 9

They won't need her for the prosecution unless they use her as a rebuttal witness if the defense tries to say that they weren't catching and killing stories.

Kick in to the DU tip jar?

This week we're running a special pop-up mini fund drive. From Monday through Friday we're going ad-free for all registered members, and we're asking you to kick in to the DU tip jar to support the site and keep us financially healthy.

As a bonus, making a contribution will allow you to leave kudos for another DU member, and at the end of the week we'll recognize the DUers who you think make this community great.

Tell me more...

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Karen McDougal, who alleg...