Stormy Daniels provided testimony in the ongoing hush-money trial against former US President Donald Trump, drawing media scrutiny and public debate over the handling of her testimony.
On May 7, 2024, Stormy Daniels testified in the criminal trial of former US President Donald Trump in New York, recounting her claimed affair with Trump which led to a hush-money payment. During her testimony, Daniels described interactions and conversations that implicated Trump, with the presiding judge responding to a motion for mistrial from Trump’s legal team by cautioning Daniels to stay on topic and focusing on the evidence presented.
In parallel, Fox News hosts Harris Faulkner and Lisa Kennedy Montgomery faced criticism for their commentary on Daniels’ testimony, with accusations of ‘slut shaming’ and insensitive remarks regarding Daniels’ account of her interactions with Trump. This commentary led to public backlash and discussions on social media about their handling of the sensitive testimony.
Daniels’ account in court included details of a 2006 encounter at a celebrity golf tournament where Trump allegedly showed Daniels a photo of Melania, telling her they did not share the same bedroom. She further shared an anecdote where she playfully swatted Trump with a magazine. The defense attempted to challenge Daniels’ credibility by suggesting her motivations were financial rather than ethical.
This trial is part of larger legal proceedings against Trump, who is accused of falsifying records to cover up the payments made to Daniels before the 2016 presidential elections. To date, Daniels has remained firm in her testimony despite attempts from Trump’s lawyers to discredit her story. The trial continues to draw significant media attention and public scrutiny.