Former President Donald Trump’s criminal trial took a dramatic turn on Tuesday as Stephanie Clifford, also known as Stormy Daniels, took the stand to testify about alleged hush money payments she received in exchange for her silence regarding an affair she claimed to have had with Trump in 2006. The trial focuses on reimbursements Trump made to his former attorney Michael Cohen for the $130,000 payment made to Daniels before the 2016 election. Prosecutors argue that Trump falsified records of these repayments to conceal violations of election law.
Daniels’ involvement in the case dates back to 2011 when she first spoke about the alleged affair in an interview with InTouch magazine. She later detailed the relationship in conversations with journalist Jacob Weisberg and in a bombshell interview with “60 Minutes.” Despite initial denials and a statement signed by Daniels denying the affair, she has since been vocal about her interactions with Trump, even releasing a tell-all book called “Full Disclosure.”
Trump has consistently denied the affair, with his spokesperson at the time, Hope Hicks, calling the allegations “absolutely, unequivocally” false. However, Cohen later admitted to arranging the payment to Daniels and stated that Trump directed him to do so. Trump himself has posted on social media denying the affair and calling the hush money case a “witch hunt.” He has also faced legal battles with Daniels, including a defamation lawsuit that she lost.
In recent developments, Trump made headlines for posting on his Truth Social platform about the ongoing trial, calling New York Judge Juan Manuel Merchan “crooked” and claiming he knew the identity of the witness scheduled to testify. This post came after the judge found Trump in contempt of court for violating a gag order related to the trial. Trump has also faced criticism for his handling of the alleged affair and subsequent legal battles, with Daniels continuing to speak out and share her side of the story on social media.
Despite the controversy and legal challenges, Daniels remains active on social media, often sharing commentary on Trump’s presidency, legal issues, and personal matters. Her Twitter account has a large following, and some of her most popular posts have garnered significant attention and engagement. Daniels’ involvement in Trump’s trial adds another layer of complexity to the case, as she provides firsthand testimony about the hush money payments and alleged affair, further fueling the ongoing scandal surrounding the former president.
