Former Adult Film Actress Stormy Daniels
Testifies in Trial Over 'Hush Money' in Sexual Scandal
Vividly Describes Meeting with Trump
Stormy Daniels, the central figure in former President Donald Trump's 'hush money' scandal, appeared as a witness in court, delivering an unrestrained series of revelations, local media including Politico reported on the 7th (local time).
Daniels, a former adult film actress, claims she became a target for hush money after having a sexual relationship with former President Trump in 2006. According to reports, she wore a black dress with her blonde hair tied back and frequently stared directly at Trump while detailing the circumstances of their meeting.
Daniels testified that she went to the hotel suite where Trump was staying to meet him and that he was wearing silk pajamas. She described Trump as showing a magazine featuring her with an arrogant attitude. Annoyed by his demeanor, Daniels said, "Someone should slap you with this (magazine)," to which Trump rolled up the magazine and handed it to her, telling her to do so, and Daniels admitted she actually did it.
Trump also asked Daniels if she had a boyfriend and about trends in the adult film industry, and revealed that he did not even sleep in the same bed as his wife, Melania. Daniels emphasized that Trump called her 'honeybunch' and that his intentions were quite clear, especially as he waited for her in bed when she came out of the bathroom.
Foreign media described Daniels as a rapid-fire speaker who often digressed with anecdotes and laughter. Although most of her testimony was already known, the reports noted that explicit details were included in her statements.
Judge Juan Merchan, presiding over the case, reportedly showed considerable discomfort with the explicit revelations. While dismissing a motion to invalidate the proceedings filed by Trump's lawyers in response to Daniels' detailed descriptions, he agreed that "there are things better left unsaid" and cautioned Daniels to "answer only the questions."
AFP reported, "The long-awaited confrontation unfolded," noting that the testimony was both legally significant and sexual in nature. Bloomberg assessed that the private and, in some respects, potentially embarrassing details about the day they met are likely to anger former President Trump, who denies the related allegations.
Meanwhile, Trump appeared in court wearing a blue suit and yellow tie, sitting with a blank expression, either staring straight ahead or leaning back with his head down. However, he reacted strongly to some testimony by shaking his head or uttering curses. Judge Merchan warned, "I understand that (Trump) is angry, but loudly cursing and visibly shaking your head is insulting to the witness." Some foreign reports noted that Trump appeared to say "That's bullshit" during Daniels' testimony.
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