The porn actress Stormy Daniels testified in detail in the trial about covered-up hush money payments against Donald Trump. The ex-US President is increasingly getting into trouble in the process.
When the blonde woman takes the witness stand, visibly nervous, she takes no notice of Donald Trump. And he, too, stared grimly into space. He then closes his eyes – perhaps to hide from what the former porn actress is saying in detail about their intimate encounter.
She speaks so quickly and tensely that the prosecutor has to ask Stormy Daniels to slow down. This is what several US media representatives in the room agree on.
Daniels’ testimony could be an important point in this trial, says renowned criminal defense attorney Ron Kuby ARD studio New York: “Unfortunately for the defense, Donald Trump has always denied that he had anything to do with Stormy Daniels, even though she is the first to publicly describe his penis.”
Daniels describes in great detail how, as a young woman, she had unprotected sex with the now 77-year-old. When they met in Trump’s hotel suite after a golf tournament in 2006, she was confused. At the time, she was already wondering how she came to sleep with Donald Trump. Afterwards she was shaking so much that she had problems getting dressed again.
“That’s not hard to believe”
The indictment accuses Trump of paying $130,000 in hush money to Daniels when she wanted to go public with the story. This in itself is not a crime in the USA – but it is if such payments are covered up.
The prosecution accuses Trump of this. He wanted to influence the outcome of the 2016 US presidential election. Trump does not deny the payment. But the sex with Daniels. All the prosecution has to do is prove that Trump had sex with Daniels, Kuby says: “That’s easy to believe. Even if you don’t like Stormy Daniels or some of the decisions she’s made in her life – that’s not hard to believe.”
You can’t like Stormy Daniels for a lot of things. “But it was Donald Trump who had sex with her. Donald Trump who paid her money. Donald Trump who was a 60-year-old married man who chose to have sex with a much younger, much more vulnerable and much poorer woman What does that say about him?”
Judge threatens Trump with prison
It’s clear to see that the ex-president, who wants to get back into the White House for the Republicans, is gradually becoming impatient. He seems annoyed, his expression is often dark. He has to go to the courtroom every day instead of campaigning.
Some observers speak of a turning point – others are cautious. Just this week, Judge Juan Merchan sentenced the perpetually bullying defendant to a fine. Because of his constant verbal attacks against members of the trial. Merchan threatened Trump that he could put him in prison for this.
That was a big step, says civil rights lawyer Charles Coleman on MSNBC: “The clock is ticking for Donald Trump,” said Coleman. “The trial is estimated to last another two weeks. Donald Trump doesn’t have much to show in his defense. And Judge Merchan can’t turn it back: If you threatened prison, you’re not going back to fines.”
Important statement from Attorney Cohen
Defense lawyer Kuby is more skeptical. Merchan’s mention of prison was a respectful reference – not a threat. And instead of clinging to Stormy Daniels’ statement, it’s more about the witness Michael Cohen. The payments are said to have gone through Trump’s former lawyer and current opponent.
Like Daniels and others, the defense portrays Cohen as a liar. At some point, the jury may find it difficult to buy that from Trump: “Because if everyone around you is a liar, then you are either the victim of the greatest conspiracy in history. Or: you are guilty.”
Antje Passenheim, ARD New York, tagesschau, May 8, 2024 12:21 a.m