Former porn film actress Stormy Daniels took the witness stand on Tuesday (05/07/2024) in the trial of Donald Trump, accused of hiding payment for his silence about an alleged extramarital relationship, which has put the first former president in the dock of the United States.
“The prosecution calls Stormy Daniels”, one of the most anticipated witnesses in this historic trial of the current candidate for the presidency of the United States in the November elections, and at the center of the Trump case. Daniels, 45, claims she had a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006.
In the final stretch of the 2016 elections, when sexual scandals threatened the electoral campaign that the Republican magnate won against Hillary Clinton, the woman received a payment of $130,000 to remain silent about that episode.
Trump passed the payment to the former actress, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, as legal expenses of his then personal lawyer Michael Cohen, who had advanced the money out of his pocket, from the family business Trump Organization. He is now accused of falsifying 34 documents, in a historic trial.
First match in a golf tournament
Nervously, the witness recounted how she met Trump at a golf tournament when she was 27 years old. “I knew he was older, probably older than my father,” Daniels said a few meters from the tycoon, staring blankly ahead, while he adjusted his hair and put on his glasses.
The prosecution shows a photo of the two at golf, Trump in a yellow shirt and hat and she in a black top hugging.
“Mr. Trump said he wanted to have dinner with me,” said the witness who recounted how she arrived at the hotel suite, “three times bigger than my apartment,” where the magnate was waiting for her with flowers and in silk pajamas that she later changed. for a shirt and street pants.
Trumo denies it
Trump, 77, denies that he had sex with the former actress. Susan Necheles, the former president’s defense lawyer, presented an objection to Judge Juan Merchan, who is presiding over the trial, to be prohibited from testifying about any “sexual act.” “It’s unduly prejudicial,” Necheles told the judge.
Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger assured the court that Daniels’ testimony would not be graphic and would “omit overly salacious details.” This is the first time Daniels has come face to face with the mogul who for years has denigrated her, even when she was in the White House.
Fines against Trump
The judge has prohibited the Republican from talking about the witnesses on his social networks, as well as the jury and court staff and their families. After fining him $10,000, he has threatened him with jail if he continues to disobey his orders.
Throughout three weeks of trial, witnesses have shed light on the scenes of his 2016 electoral campaign in front of the popular jury that will seal his fate.
If found guilty, he could be sentenced to prison, although this will not prevent him from assuming the presidency of the country if he wins in November against his current rival, President Joe Biden, whom he blames for sitting in the Manhattan court instead of campaigning.
ct (afp, efe)
