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.

Apr 22, 5:51 am

What to know about the hush money case

May 07, 2024, 11:28 AM EDT

'You remind me of my daughter,' Daniels says Trump told her

Stormy Daniels testified that Trump suggested she go on "The Apprentice."

"He told me an idea -- that I should go on his television show," Daniels said.

"I said there was no way [they] would ever let me on TV," Daniels said she responded. "I said, 'Even you don't have that much power.'"

"You remind me of my daughter," Daniels said Trump responded, remaking about how people underestimate her intelligence.

"Approximately how long were you talking, in total, in the suite?" Hoffinger asked.

"Close to two hours. It was a long time," Daniels said.

"Did you sense any red flags?" Hoffinger asked.

"No," she said.

Court then broke for a brief recess. When Daniels exited the courtroom, she walked by Trump on her way out but did not look toward the former president.

Trump appeared to be talking with his lawyers when she walked by.

Trump then exited the courtroom for the mid-morning break, giving a fist-pump as he exited.

May 07, 2024, 11:22 AM EDT

'Don’t worry about that,' Daniels says Trump said of Melania

Daniels said the topic of her and Trump's conversation quickly turned to the “business aspects” of the porn industry.

“He asked how I got involved in the adult entertainment company,” Daniels recounted, telling the jurors that she told Trump the same story about entering the industry the jury heard at the start of his testimony.

Daniels said that Trump peppered her with questions.

“Are there any unions? Do you get residuals? How do you get paid? Do you get health insurance?. What about STDs?” Daniels recounted.

Daniels said that Trump specifically asked about her own tests for STDs.

“Every test that I have ever done ... and I have never had a bad test. I never tested positive for anything,” Daniels said.

Judge Merchan asked Daniels to “slow down a little bit so the court reporter can get everything that you’re saying.”

Daniels and Trump also discussed wrestling, including Trump’s televised appearance with Vince McMahon, Daniels said.

“Oh yeah, I made him,” Daniels said eagerly about Trump’s scene with McMahon.

Daniels recalled having a "very brief" conversation with Trump about his wife Melania.

"He showed me a few pictures ... and I said, 'Oh what about your wife?'"

“Oh don't worry about that, we don't sleep in the same room," she said Trump responded.

May 07, 2024, 11:17 AM EDT

Daniels says Trump was initially in pajamas

Stormy Daniels testified that Donald Trump was still in his pajamas when she entered his suite.

"He was wearing silk or satin pajamas that I immediately made fun of him for. 'Does Mr. Heffner know you stole his pajamas?" Daniels said.

"I told him to go change and he obliged very politely," Daniels said, noting he retured in a dress shirt and dress pants.

Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger asked Daniels to describe the hotel suite in detail -- a move to possibly corroborate her testimony later.

"This hotel room was three times the size of my apartment," Daniels said.

Daniels has been looking to Hoffinger as she answered her questions, but at times reorients herself toward the jurors, engaging with them and appearing to search for eyes to make contact with. She directs her comments to them when she attempts to explain certain details.

Daniels said that once Trump changed his clothes, they passed the time before their planned dinner by talking at a table in the suite.

"He said it was a bit early. 'Do you mind talking a bit so we can get to know each other?'" Daniels said.

Hoffinger, for a third time, asked Daniels to slow down as she recounted the contents of her conversation with Trump over dinner -- which she called the "general get-to-know-you sort of things."

Daniels said she discussed her upbringing -- including whether she was married or had a boyfriend -- during the discussion.

May 07, 2024, 11:11 AM EDT

Daniels recounts going to Trump's suite

Jurors were shown the contact information for Trump's bodyguard in Daniels' phone. It is listed as "Keith Trump." Daniels testified she did not know his last name at the time.

"If nothing else you'll get a great story," Daniels recalls her then-publicist telling her when she told him Trump invited her to dinner. Daniels said she reconsidered Trump's invitation after her then-agent encouraged her to join Trump for dinner.

"He said, 'I think you should go. It would make a great story. He is a business guy. What could possibly go wrong?' That was his words to me," Daniels said.

Daniels testimony appears consistent with how she described the interaction in her 2018 book "Full Disclosure."

Daniels said that she went to Trump's Harrah's resort to meet Trump and went directly to his suite per the directions of bodyguard Keith Schiller.

"The door was already open, so I walked right in," Daniels said.

Trump, at the defense table, sat with his head cocked slightly to the left, as Daniels described details from the night they met for dinner at his hotel room.

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