In the ongoing legal saga involving former President Donald Trump and adult film actress Stormy Daniels, Trump's defense attorneys argued on Thursday that Daniels' narrative about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump is inconsistent because it never occurred.
Susan Necheles, Trump's defense attorney, led the continued cross-examination of Daniels on Thursday. This follows Daniels' extensive testimony on Tuesday, which led the Trump team to motion for a mistrial, deeming it "unnecessary" and "prejudicial." However, the judge dismissed the motion.
During the questioning, Necheles highlighted a 2018 statement signed by Daniels, in which she denied any encounter with Trump. Daniels admitted she did not author the statement but confirmed her signature on it. Necheles also referred to another statement where Daniels denied having a sexual relationship with Trump. Part of the statement reads: "Im denying this affair because it never happened."
Daniels alleged that Michael Cohen, Trump's former attorney, pressured her into signing the statement. She also denied ever soliciting money from Trump. Under Necheles' questioning, Daniels clarified, "I never asked for money from anyone in particular. I asked for money for telling my story I was asking for money from publications to sell my story, to get the truth out."
Daniels confessed to selling her story for nearly $1 million when she agreed to pen her book, "Full Disclosure," for $800,000. However, she claimed she did not receive the full amount.
Regarding the book, Daniels shared that she detailed her life from the age of 2, but assumed readers would be more interested in her alleged encounter with Trump.
When probed for specific details about the alleged 2006 sexual encounter at a celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe, Daniels' account in court seemed to differ from her initial disclosure of the incident and the version in her book.
Necheles pointed out, "You told In Touch a completely different story," to which Daniels denied, claiming there were just "parts in the middle I didnt remember." Daniels also stated that In Touch "left out a lot of stuff because they couldnt fact-check it." The In Touch story was written in 2011 but wasn't published until after the 2016 election.
Necheles accused Daniels of fabricating the story, a claim Daniels firmly denied.
Daniels further described the room where the alleged encounter took place, stating it was far from the front door and that she couldnt leave because Trumps bodyguard was allegedly outside the door. However, Necheles reminded her that in an interview with Vogue magazine, Daniels was quoted as saying there were no threats during the alleged encounter, and she asserted nothing was holding her in the room.
Necheles also questioned Daniels about her understanding of why Trump was indicted in Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs case. Daniels responded that she did not know and added that he was "indicted for a lot of things."
Necheles concluded that Daniels' story has changed multiple times because she never had an affair with Trump and was merely seeking financial gain.
Under re-direct questioning from prosecutor Susan Hoffinger, Daniels testified that she entered the non-disclosure agreement and accepted the $130,000 hush money payment for her safety, after she testified on Tuesday that she wanted to make money by selling her story about Trump.
Hoffinger also asked if fear was a reason Daniels entered into the NDA and was "hiding in plain view." Daniels responded that a lawyer friend advised her that "if youre out in the open, youre safer."
In 2018, Daniels sued Trump, claiming the non-disclosure agreement she signed was invalid because it lacked Trumps signature.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree. These charges stem from a years-long investigation by the Manhattan District Attorneys Office and are related to alleged payments made ahead of the 2016 presidential election to silence Daniels about an alleged 2006 extramarital affair with Trump.
Bragg must convince the jury that, not only did Trump falsify business records related to alleged hush money payments, but he did so in furtherance of another crime conspiracy to promote or prevent election, which would be a felony. On their own, falsifying business records and conspiracy to promote or prevent election are misdemeanor charges.
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