Stormy Daniels, the adult film actress central to Donald Trump’s historic criminal trial, testified on Tuesday regarding an alleged 2006 sexual encounter with the former president in a hotel penthouse suite. Trump, facing accusations of falsifying business records to reimburse his lawyer for a $130,000 hush money payment to Daniels on the eve of his 2016 election, sat at the defense table as Daniels recounted her version of events.
Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger called Daniels to the stand, where she provided detailed testimony about the encounter, including Trump’s attire, the sexual position, and the absence of a condom. Trump, maintaining his denial of the encounter, listened silently throughout her testimony.
The courtroom confrontation occurred just months before the upcoming election, where Trump aims to secure another term in office. Daniels also shared details of her upbringing, her career in the adult entertainment industry, and her initial encounter with Trump at a celebrity golf tournament.
Describing Trump’s interest in business matters and his suggestion for her to appear on his reality TV show, “The Apprentice,” Daniels recounted their subsequent encounter in Trump’s hotel suite, highlighting her feelings of discomfort and power dynamics during the encounter.
Daniels also discussed subsequent meetings with Trump and the eventual non-disclosure agreement negotiated by her publicist and Trump’s lawyer, Michael Cohen, prior to the 2016 election. She emphasized that her motivation was not financial gain but rather a desire to share her story.
After a lunch break, Trump’s attorney Todd Blanche requested a mistrial, citing objections to Daniels’ testimony, particularly her mention of feeling threatened in 2011 by an individual warning her not to speak about Trump. However, Judge Juan Merchan denied the motion, asserting that a mistrial was not warranted at that point.
Trump, under a partial gag order, faces consequences for breaching the order and has already been fined for such violations. Despite objections from his legal team, the trial continues, shedding light on a pivotal moment in Trump’s presidency.
