NEW YORK. Donald Trump’s defense attorney pressed adult film actress Stormy Daniels on Thursday regarding statements she made in 2018, denying any sexual relations with the former U.S. president. This pivotal moment unfolds at the heart of the first criminal trial involving a former American head of state.
Daniels’ vivid testimony earlier in the week detailing a sexual encounter with Trump in a Lake Tahoe hotel suite in 2006 held jurors spellbound, reigniting public interest in the more salacious aspects of Trump’s presidency from 2017 to 2021, as he pursues a White House comeback bid this year.
Defense attorney Susan Necheles presented jurors with two signed statements from 2018 in which Daniels denied engaging in an affair with Trump. These statements were made while Daniels was bound by a non-disclosure agreement brokered by Trump’s former attorney, Michael Cohen, in exchange for $130,000 to remain silent about the alleged encounter prior to the 2016 election.
Daniels, under cross-examination, disavowed these statements, asserting, “Let’s be clear, I did not write this. It was given to me, and I was told that I had to sign it.”
Keith Davidson, Daniels’ attorney at the time, testified earlier in the trial, suggesting that the statements were carefully crafted to technically deny an affair while not specifically addressing individual encounters.
Trump, aged 77, faces 34 counts of falsifying business records related to Cohen’s payment to Daniels. He maintains his innocence, vehemently denying any sexual liaison with the adult film star.
As a Republican contender vying to unseat Democratic President Joe Biden in the upcoming November election, Trump portrays the trial as a politically motivated attack aimed at derailing his campaign.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, Trump’s legal team challenged Daniels’ credibility, eliciting admissions of past falsehoods from her, including her refusal to pay Trump over $500,000 resulting from a failed defamation lawsuit.
Necheles questioned Daniels on Thursday about her decision to accept Cohen’s payment in exchange for silence, despite her prior assertions of a desire to publicly share her story. Daniels cited safety concerns, asserting that preserving a paper trail offered better protection for herself and her family.
Prosecutors argue that Trump’s efforts to conceal the payment tainted the 2016 election by withholding crucial information from voters.
While Daniels’ testimony provides insight into the case, its impact on voters already familiar with allegations of Trump’s sexual impropriety remains uncertain. Trump’s legal team attempted to downplay its significance, claiming Daniels’ testimony was needlessly inflammatory.
Trump’s reaction to Daniels’ testimony on Tuesday, characterized by frustration and an outburst in court, resulted in a warning about potential witness intimidation from Justice Juan Merchan, who has since fined Trump $10,000 for discussing trial details outside the courtroom.
This trial, perceived as the least significant of Trump’s legal battles, faces uncertainty, with other cases delayed for various reasons, including legal challenges and court proceedings.
A federal case in Washington alleging Trump’s attempt to overturn the 2020 election results remains stalled by the Supreme Court, while another federal case in Florida accusing Trump of mishandling classified information awaits resolution of legal objections raised by his defense team. Additionally, a state case in Georgia accusing Trump of election interference is on hold pending an appeals court decision regarding prosecutorial conduct.
As the trial progresses, it continues to draw intense scrutiny, offering a glimpse into the legal challenges confronting a former U.S. president.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
