Porn star Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, took the witness stand Tuesday during the criminal trial against Donald Trump. She testified about their alleged 2006 sexual encounter in graphic detail.
Daniels said she met Trump at his penthouse suite. She claimed he was wearing silk pajamas and invited her to dinner. After the meal, Daniels said she tried to leave but Trump positioned himself between her and the door before they had unprotected sex. She testified that Trump told her not to worry about his wife, saying she reminded him of his daughter.
The explicit testimony drew objections from Trump’s lawyers, who asked for a mistrial. The judge denied this request but scolded Daniels for going beyond what was necessary.
Under cross-examination, Trump’s team suggested Daniels gave the graphic account to make money from her story. They also questioned whether she was really threatened in 2011 to keep quiet, as she had claimed. Stormy Daniels insisted her motivation was simply to reveal the truth, not for financial gain.
The case centers on an alleged $130,000 hush money payment to the porn star before the 2016 election. Prosecutors say Trump falsified records to conceal reimbursing his lawyer Michael Cohen for this payment, which Trump denies.
As the first ex-president charged with a crime, the trial has major political implications for Trump’s expected 2024 presidential run. Stormy Daniels’ lurid courtroom account has intensified the legal scrutiny on him.
