Porn star Stormy Daniels took the stand in Manhattan Supreme Court on Tuesday, providing explicit details about her alleged sexual encounter with former President Donald Trump. The testimony, delivered during the hush money trial, was met with amusement from jurors, prompting the judge to caution Daniels to tone down her salacious descriptions.
Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, claimed that she spanked Trump with a rolled-up magazine featuring his face on the cover. The graphic testimony caused Trump to reportedly mouth expletives to his lawyers and drew objections from his legal team throughout the proceedings. Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan warned Trump’s attorney, Todd Blanche, about the ex-president’s audible cursing and visual displays of disapproval, cautioning him against potentially influencing the jury.
While the judge ruled in favor of Trump’s attorneys on several objections, he allowed Daniels to testify about her alleged one-night stand with Trump to establish her credibility. Daniels described the encounter as a brief sexual encounter in the missionary position, drawing an objection from Trump’s lawyers, which was sustained by the judge.
Daniels also claimed that Trump made sexual advances towards her the following year, but she declined by stating she was on her period. Trump’s lawyer, Susan Necheles, cross-examined Daniels, highlighting her animosity towards Trump and her financial gains from sharing her story. Daniels defended herself, stating that she had been making money by telling her story, not specifically by claiming to have had sex with Trump.
During her testimony, Daniels detailed how Trump and his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, attempted to buy her silence through a “catch-and-kill” scheme after the release of the infamous “Access Hollywood” tape in October 2016. Trump is facing charges related to the alleged hush money payment and subsequent cover-up, which prosecutors argue aimed to corrupt the 2016 election. Trump has consistently denied any wrongdoing and dismissed the case as politically motivated.
As the trial continues, Daniels is expected to provide further testimony on Thursday. Trump, accompanied by his son Eric, expressed confidence outside the courtroom, claiming that the case against him was falling apart. He criticized the lack of evidence and the seemingly unrelated aspects being brought up during the trial.
