During the trial, defense attorney Todd Blanche revisited key text messages exchanged between former National Enquirer editor Dylan Howard and Stormy Daniels' then-manager Gina Rodriguez in April and June 2016. Blanche highlighted a message from Howard expressing his disdain for Donald Trump, questioning the existence of a 'catch and kill' conspiracy given Howard's apparent lack of favor towards Trump.
Blanche emphasized that the story did not gain traction for months after the initial exchange, casting doubt on the alleged conspiracy. He pointed out that the jury did not hear testimonies from Howard or Rodriguez, suggesting that the prosecution's claims were based on speculation.
Blanche further argued that Howard's willingness to assist Daniels and Rodriguez in selling the story did not implicate him in any conspiracy involving Trump, Pecker, and Cohen. He portrayed Daniels and Rodriguez as the driving forces behind the story's circulation, with Howard merely offering support in their pursuit of financial gain.
The defense's narrative aimed to dismantle the prosecution's theory of a coordinated effort to suppress the Trump story, painting Howard as an individual with personal grievances against Trump rather than a conspirator in a larger scheme. By highlighting the proactive role of Daniels and Rodriguez in promoting the story, Blanche sought to shift the focus away from Howard's alleged involvement in any illicit activities.
