On June 7, 2016, attorney Keith Davidson sent a text message to Dylan Howard, an editor at the National Enquirer, with a compelling lead: “I have a blockbuster Trump story.” This message marked the beginning of discussions about former Playboy model Karen McDougal’s claim of having had an affair with Donald Trump, who at the time was a presidential candidate and married to Melania Trump.
Howard’s quick response, “Talk 1st thing. I will get you more than ANYONE for it. You Know why…”, demonstrated the tabloid’s keen interest in the story. These text exchanges became part of the evidence presented at Trump’s hush money trial. Trump has denied having an affair with McDougal.
Davidson, who testified in court, described these messages as an introductory pitch to Howard. In later text exchanges shown to the jury, Howard asked Davidson if Trump had cheated on Melania, indicating the National Enquirer’s intent to confirm the details of the affair.
Davidson testified that McDougal told him about a “romantic affair” with Trump “some years prior” and, when asked if it was sexual, he replied, “That’s what she expressed.” During the negotiations, McDougal was considering two deals: one with the National Enquirer and another with ABC News. Ultimately, she opted for the National Enquirer because they could offer her a way to keep the story from becoming public, allowing her to maintain a degree of privacy.
Davidson noted that McDougal sought to “rejuvenate her career” while avoiding the stigma of being labeled “the other woman.” This led to discussions about a deal that would not only compensate McDougal but also involve her in a consulting gig as a fitness expert.
On July 23, 2016, Howard texted Davidson to get a price for McDougal’s story, suggesting that a consulting role might be part of the deal. Davidson responded with a proposal of $1 million upfront and an additional $75,000 per year for two years as a fitness correspondent for American Media Inc. (AMI) and its related publications.
Howard expressed reservations about the price, indicating it was likely to be “more hundreds than millions.” In another text a few days later, Howard said they would “lay it on thick for her,” suggesting a willingness to negotiate. Davidson’s reply, asking for an ambassadorship to the Isle of Man, was later clarified as a joke.
