In a dramatic turn of events, Donald Trump’s lawyer has accused porn star Stormy Daniels of profiting off her story of an alleged sexual encounter with the former president in 2006. The accusation is part of an effort to undermine Daniels’ credibility as a witness in the first criminal trial of a sitting or former U.S. president.
Daniels’ detailed and unflattering account of the encounter with Trump in a Lake Tahoe hotel suite in 2006 has captivated jurors, bringing back memories of the more scandalous aspects of Trump’s presidency from 2017 to 2021. Trump, who is facing 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a payment made to Daniels for her silence before the 2016 election, has denied ever having sex with her.
During the trial, Trump’s lawyer, Susan Necheles, pointed to Daniels’ social media posts promoting merchandise on her online store, including a “Stormy Saint of Indictments” candle and a comic book titled “Political Power: Stormy Daniels.” Necheles insinuated that Daniels’ main source of income has been profiting off her alleged encounter with Trump.
In response, Daniels explained that she needed money to cover her legal bills, including a debt of over $500,000 to Trump from a failed defamation lawsuit. She defended her merchandise sales as part of her job.
The trial, seen as politically motivated by Trump, has brought to light the contentious relationship between the former president and Daniels. Despite attempts to discredit her, Daniels remains steadfast in her account of the encounter, leaving Trump visibly frustrated during her testimony.
As the trial continues, the focus remains on the legal battle between Trump and Daniels, with implications for both their personal reputations and the upcoming election.