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, 4:40 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.

Apr 22, 5:51 am

What to know about the hush money case

May 07, 2024, 3:32 PM EDT

Daniels pressed on calling Trump names

Stormy Daniels raised her voice at one point during a testy exchange with defense attorney Susan Necheles.

Necheles showed Daniels a Tweet she wrote that said, "I don't owe him s--- and I'll never give that orange turd a dime."

A few jurors cracked smiles when Nicheles read aloud one of Daniels' tweets, in which she called Trump an "orange turd."

"That's you calling President Trump names, correct?" Necheles asked.

Former President Donald Trump watches as Stormy Daniels is questioned in Manhattan state court in New York City, May 7, 2024, in this courtroom sketch.
Jane Rosenberg/Reuters

"In retaliation for him calling me names," Daniels responded.

"You call him names all the time, right?" Necheles asked. "You despise him."

Daniels responded that she was countering the names he called her that the jury previously saw, namely Horseface and Sleazebag.

"Cause he made fun of me first," Daniels said.

"So one of you started it and you both continued it?" Necheles said.

May 07, 2024, 3:22 PM EDT

Defense presses Daniels on not paying Trump's legal fees

Defense attorney Susan Necheles played up the animosity Stormy Daniels has for Donald Trump after a California court dismissed a lawsuit she filed against him and awarded Trump legal fees totaling more than a half million dollars.

"You're choosing not to pay President Trump one penny," Necheles said. "You've chosen to disobey a court order."

She read a Tweet from Daniels saying she would go to jail before paying Trump the money a court determined she owed.

Necheles' voice, during questioning, is almost rising to shout, jolting the courtroom.

Judge Merchan reminded Necheles to allow Daniels to answer the question before rushing on to the next one.

May 07, 2024, 3:13 PM EDT

Daniels says she hates Trump, wants him 'held responsible'

Defense attorney Susan Necheles began her cross-examination of Stormy Daniels by suggesting that Daniels' testimony was rehearsed.

"The prosecution subjected you to several grueling prep sessions, which included brutal mock cross examinations?" Necheles asked.

"My testimony was not rehearsed," Daniels responded.

"The memories were hard to bring up -- they were painful," Daniels added.

"Am I correct that you hate President Trump?" Necheles asked.

"Yes," Daniels responded.

"And you want him to go to jail?" Necheles asked.

"I want him to be held responsible," Daniels said.

May 07, 2024, 3:09 PM EDT

Daniels says she's been paid $100K for Peacock documentary

Stormy Daniels testified that she sold the license rights of her story to Peacock -- which released a documentary about her earlier this year -- for $125,000.

Of that amount, Daniels said she has has received $100,000 so far.

Asked why she felt the need to make the documentary, Daniels responded, "To get the truth out -- the same as the book."

Hoffinger then asked Daniels to read aloud one of Trump's social media posts about her.

"I did NOTHING wrong in the 'Horseface' case," Daniels read, slightly raising her voice. "Never had an affair with her, just another false acquisition [sic] by a Sleazebag."

Daniels testified that Trump has repeatedly called her "horseface."

In the jury box, many of the jurors have been taking notes as Daniels testifies, with others looking back-and-forth between Hoffinger and Daniels as though they're watching a tennis match.

Trump, meanwhile, is slouched back in his seat, looking down or straight ahead -- still seeming to avoid looking toward the witness.

After the last round of questions, Hoffinger concluded her direct examination.

Related Topics