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Adult film star Stormy Daniels returned to the witness stand in the hush money trial against former President Donald Trump on Thursday (May 9). Daniels' testimony is a key component of the prosecution's case, which alleges that Trump's former lawyer, Michael Cohen, arranged a $130,000 payment to Daniels to keep her silent about an alleged affair with Trump.
During the cross-examination, Trump's lawyer, Susan Necheles, questioned Daniels about her motives for accepting the hush money and her knowledge of Trump's involvement in the transaction. Daniels testified that she had no direct knowledge of Trump's involvement in the payment and that she had not negotiated the payment with Cohen but rather with her lawyer at the time, Keith Davidson.
Necheles used the questions to underscore that Daniels had no knowledge of the allegations underlying Trump's charges in the case and that he falsified his company's records to hide the true nature of reimbursement payments to Cohen. Daniels acknowledged that she knew nothing about Trump's business records.
Daniels, who alleges a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006, was cross-examined by defense attorney Susan Necheles. The defense attempted to undermine Daniels' credibility, accusing her of rehearsing her testimony and trying to extort Trump, both of which Daniels denied.
The defense also highlighted inconsistencies in Daniels' statements about her social media posts and financial arrangements for her documentary. Daniels maintained that she received no compensation for a 2018 60 Minutes interview, but Necheles argued that the publicity led to other moneymaking opportunities, including a book deal and a strip club tour.
The trial resumed after lunch with the defense questioning another witness, Rebecca Manochio, a Trump Organization executive assistant. The trial is expected to continue on schedule, with the defense planning to renew its call for a mistrial based on Daniels' testimony.