Trump trial: Stormy Daniels tells (almost) all about alleged encounter with Trump

Donald Trump watched Stormy Daniels testify on Day 13 of his hush money trial.

Last Updated: May 7, 2024, 7:29 PM EDT

Former President Donald Trump is on trial in New York City, where he is facing felony charges related to a 2016 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. It marks the first time in history that a former U.S. president has been tried on criminal charges.

Trump last April pleaded not guilty to a 34-count indictment charging him with falsifying business records in connection with a hush money payment his then-attorney Michael Cohen made to Daniels in order to boost his electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election.

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May 07, 2024, 12:13 PM EDT

Daniels says Trump kept in touch with phone calls

After the Lake Tahoe encounter, Daniels said she and Trump kept in touch, with him frequently referring to her as "honey bunch."

"It was weird," she said.

Daniels said she continued to take Trump's calls on the advice of her publicist, who wanted Daniels to explore the idea of going on "The Apprentice."

When Trump would call Daniels after their encounter, she testified that she would always put him on speakerphone because she "thought it was funny." She said "dozens and dozens of people heard me on the phone with him."

Jurors just saw a contact in Daniels' phone -- labeled "D Trump Rhona" -- for Trump's longtime executive assistant Rhona Graff.

"If I need to get a hold of him ... I need to get a hold of a woman named Rhona," Daniels said.

Jurors heard testimony from Graff less than two weeks ago when she testified about entering a contact for Daniels in the Trump Organization's system.

Jurors again saw the Trump Organization contact for Daniels, who confirmed the phone number was hers.

May 07, 2024, 12:08 PM EDT

Daniels told only 'very close' people about alleged encounter

Stormy Daniels testified that she met Trump the next day when he came to her hotel for an event associated with the golf tournament.

"The next day, I met him this time at my hotel at a nightclub restaurant downstairs," Daniels said.

"I arrived and he was sitting at a booth," Daniels said, adding Trump was sitting next to football player Ben Roethlisberger. Trump referred to Roethlisberger as "Big Ben," according to Daniels. She said she tried on his Super Bowl ring.

"He wasn't drinking," Daniels noted about Trump, who famously does not drink.

Daniels said that she told "scores of people'' about Trump inviting her to his suite, but she kept the information about the sexual encounter to very few people.

"The sex part I told very few, very close people," Daniels said.

May 07, 2024, 11:59 AM EDT

Daniels describes alleged sexual encounter with Trump

As Stormy Daniels described how she and Trump began having sex, Trump tapped his attorney Susan Necheles again, presumably to encourage her to object. Necheles then raised an objection about details of the sex, which was sustained.

Trump has steadfastly denied that he had a sexual encounter with Daniels.

"The next thing I know I was on the bed," Daniels said. "I had my clothes and my shoes off. I believe my bra however was still on."

Jurors seemed riveted -- a few were furiously jotting down notes, but most have their eyes fixed securely on Daniels.

"Do you remember how your clothes got off?" Hoddinger asked.

"No," Daniels said.

"Did you end up having sex with him on the bed?" Hoffinger asked.

"Yes," Daniels said.

Former President Donald Trump attends his trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 7, 2024 in New York City.
Sarah Yenesel-Pool/Getty Images

"Did you touch his skin?" Hoffinger asked.

"Yes," Daniels said.

"Was he wearing a condom?" Hoffinger asked.

"No," Daniels said.

"Was that concerning to you?" Hoffinger asked.

"Yes," Daniels said.

Before detailing the sexual encounter, Daniels noted there was an "there was an imbalance of power" but she was not threatened.

"He was bigger and blocking the way. I was not threatened verbally or physically," Daniels said.

When it was over, Daniels said Trump told her, "We have to get together again soon."

She said he never expressed any worry about his wife finding out.

May 07, 2024, 11:53 AM EDT

'Oh my god' Daniels says of her reaction to Trump on bed

Stormy Daniels said that Trump was on the bed when she came out of the bathroom.

"Mr. Trump had come into the bedroom and was on the bed, basically between myself and the exit," Daniels said.

Trump was wearing his "boxer shorts and T-shirt," she said.

"I felt that the room spun in slow motion. I felt the blood basically leave my hand and feet," Daniels said. "Oh my god, what did I misread to get here."

"What was your reaction to seeing him like that?," Hoffinger asked.

"First I was just startled, like a jump scare," Daniels said.

"I think I blacked out," Daniels said about her memory of the interaction. She affirmed that she was not drinking or on drugs during the exchange.

One juror, who had been writing down notes, looked up from his page and raised his eyebrows as Daniels recalled the sight of Trump on his bed.

Trump motioned to his attorney Susan Necheles to object as Daniels began to describe what transpired before the two became intimate, which she did. The judge summoned both parties to the bench.

The objection is sustained, said the judge.

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