NEW YORK: Stormy Daniels, the porn star at the heart of Donald Trump’s hush money case, testified in a rapt Manhattan courtroom Tuesday about a 2006 sexual encounter that precipitated the criminal trial of the former US president, marking a crucial moment in the ongoing hush money trial.
Trump, facing charges of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment made to Daniels to silence her about the affair on the eve of the 2016 election, listened intently as Daniels recounted the events that unfolded over a decade ago.
Dressed in a dark blue suit and gold tie, Trump maintained a stony demeanor throughout Daniels’ testimony, while Daniels, clad in a black pantsuit and heavy eyeliner, calmly answered questions posed by prosecutor Susan Hoffinger.
Detailing her background, Daniels shared insights into her upbringing in Louisiana, her tenure as a stripper, and her involvement in the adult film industry. She recounted meeting Trump at a celebrity golf tournament where he allegedly expressed interest in her work and invited her to dinner.
According to Daniels, the encounter took a surprising turn when Trump appeared in boxer shorts and a T-shirt in his penthouse suite, leading to consensual sexual activity. She expressed feelings of shame and discomfort afterward, noting the power dynamic at play due to Trump’s celebrity status.
While Trump has vehemently denied the affair, prosecutors argue that he orchestrated the hush money payment to Daniels through his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, to prevent the story from surfacing during the 2016 election campaign.
The trial, viewed as a pivotal moment in Trump’s political trajectory, coincides with his bid to reclaim the White House in the upcoming November elections. However, Trump’s ability to influence the proceedings has been curtailed by a partial gag order issued by Judge Juan Merchan, who found him in contempt of court for previous violations.
As the trial unfolds, Cohen, a key prosecution witness and vocal critic of Trump, is expected to provide further insight into the events leading up to the hush money payment.
Amid mounting legal challenges, including indictments in Washington and Georgia related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, Trump faces a cascade of legal troubles that threaten to overshadow his political ambitions.
