The Manhattan court overseeing the case of former US President Donald Trump's $130,000 payment to porn actress Stormy Daniels for her silence regarding their intimate relationship heard testimony from the adult film star herself.
Stormy recounted a detailed narrative of her life, tracing her journey from a girl raised in a poor family with aspirations of becoming a veterinarian to her career in the adult film industry. When she reached the part concerning her involvement with Trump, she delved into specifics about their intimate encounter, despite the prosecutor's request for brevity.
This seemingly unrelated detail sparked outrage among Trump's defenders. Judge Juan Merchan urged Stormy to stick to the pertinent points. "Some things are better left unsaid," he remarked.
Trump, who has repeatedly denied any relationship with Daniels, opposed her appearance at the trial, asserting that she sought to exploit the scandal for financial gain. As the woman testified, Trump occasionally glanced in her direction, though she did not return his gaze.
To recap, Trump faces charges of falsifying business records, which were used to facilitate payments. This marks the first criminal trial in US history involving a former president. The proceedings coincide with Trump's involvement in the ongoing presidential election campaign, despite his unsuccessful attempts to postpone the trial.
Additionally, Trump is confronting several other criminal charges related to his efforts to contest the outcome of the 2020 presidential election and his alleged role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot incited by his supporters. Trials for these cases have yet to commence.
Trump himself maintains that these legal actions represent a Democratic-led effort to thwart his participation in the elections. However, the US Constitution does not prohibit a convicted individual from running for office as head of state unless they were involved in an insurrection. Charges related to the events of January 6 could potentially lead to such implications for Trump.
