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.

ByAaron Katersky, Peter Charalambous, Olivia Rubin, Lucien Bruggeman, and Julia Reinstein
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.

Top headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
Apr 22, 5:51 am

What to know about the hush money case

READ MORE: Here's what you need to know about the historic case.

May 07, 2024, 5:17 PM EDT

Trump, exiting court, calls case 'a disaster for the DA'

Former President Trump, on his way out of court, slammed the proceedings as "a disaster for the DA."

"This was a very big day, a very revealing day," Trump told reporters. "As you see, their case is totally falling apart."

Former President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media next to his attorney Todd Blanche at Manhattan criminal court, May 7, 2024, in New York.
Mary Altaffer/via Reuters

"They have nothing on the books and records and even something that should bear very little relationship to the case," he said.

"It is just a disaster for the DA," said the former president.

-ABC News' Kelsey Walsh and Mike Pappano

May 07, 2024, 4:36 PM EDT

Court ends for the day

Judge Merchan has ended the proceedings for the day.

Former President Trump was conferring with his attorney when Stormy Daniels passed by the defense table on her way out of the courtroom, and she and Trump did not appear to acknowledge each other.

Court is off tomorrow, with Daniels' cross-examination scheduled to resume at 9:30 a.m. ET on Thursday.

May 07, 2024, 4:26 PM EDT

Defense presses Daniels on claim of extortion

Defense attorney Susan Necheles, resuming her cross-examination of Stormy Daniels following a break, raised the defense claim that Donald Trump was the victim of extortion.

"You were looking to extort money from President Trump, right?" Necheles asked.

"False," Daniels replied.

"That's what you did, right?" Necheles insisted.

"False," Daniels responded.

On occasion, Daniels has been hesitant to answer questions during the cross-examination, especially when Necheles quickly presents an exhibit to jurors.

"You want me to comment on something when I don't know the context, and that is not fair," Daniels said at one point.

May 07, 2024, 3:55 PM EDT

Defense suggests Daniels is making up her story

Defense attorney Susan Necheles asked Stormy Daniels a line of questions about what details Daniels included and omitted from her 2018 book, based on some of what she said today court.

At one point Necheles directly asked if Daniels was simply making up her story about Trump.

"You are making this up as you sit there?" Necheles said.

Judge Juan Merchan presides over proceedings as Stormy Daniels answers questions on direct examination by assistant district attorney Susan Hoffinger in Manhattan criminal court as former President Donald Trump listens, May 7, 2024, in New York.
Elizabeth Williams/AP

"No," Daniels forcefully responded.

"The whole story was made up, wasn't it?" Necheles said.

"None of it is made up," Daniels responded.

For most of the cross-examination, Donald Trump, at the defense table, has been sitting back in his chair and angled toward the witness stand. His eyes are frequently closed, and he rarely confers with his lawyers.

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