Former US President Donald Trump’s ongoing hush money trial in Manhattan has attracted national attention as key figures testify about his personal and financial dealings. Adult film star Stormy Daniels testified about her alleged 2006 encounter with Trump, detailing a night that led to a $130,000 payment for her silence arranged by Trump’s lawyer. During her testimony, Daniels shared intimate and uncomfortable moments of their encounter, including Trump comparing her to his daughter and their sleeping arrangements, a claim contrary to Trump’s public presentation of his marriage.

Madeleine Westerhout, a former aide to Trump, provided a contrasting view about Trump, focusing on his marriage dynamics with Melania Trump. Testifying during the trial, Westerhout described Melania as having significant influence over Trump and highlighted their affectionate relationship, countering some public perceptions formed due to Trump’s alleged affair with Daniels.

As the trial progresses, substantial evidence has been presented, linking Trump directly to the hush money payments. Checks from his personal account bearing his signature, and testimonies from Trump Organization employees about how these transactions were recorded, are at the forefront of the legal proceedings. The prosecution seeks to prove Trump falsified business records to conceal the payments intended to prevent Daniels from disclosing the affair during the 2016 presidential election campaign.

The case continues to unfold, with each testimony potentially affecting the jury’s perspective on Trump’s actions and credibility.