trumps influence the election with hush money payments trial

............ When asked by the prosecution if his purpose in paying for McDougal’s story was to “influence the election”, Pecker said yes. ..............

........... Prosecutors showed an email from Mr Davidson to Cohen, dated 11 October 2016, confirming that the "settlement sum is $130,000."

Legal documents were attached to the email.

Mr Davidson had trouble actually getting Cohen to send the funds, he testified, and at one point threatened to quit the deal.

Eventually, in late October, Cohen wired the cash.

Earlier in the day, prosecutors showed the record of a wire transfer of $130,000 that Cohen made to an account controlled by Mr Davidson. ..........