Stormy Daniels’ testimony in Donald Trump’s New York criminal trial was deeply humiliating for the former President, according to his estranged niece, Mary Trump. In a Manhattan courtroom, Daniels, an adult actress whose real name is Stephanie Gregory Clifford, recounted the sexual encounter she allegedly had with Mr. Trump almost two decades earlier.
The trial centers around hush money payments to Daniels immediately before the 2016 Presidential election, which were documented as legal expenses. Prosecuting attorneys accuse Trump of falsifying records and doing so to influence the outcome of the 2016 White House race.
Daniels described having dinner with Trump in his Lake Tahoe hotel room during her explosive testimony. She said that after dinner and conversation, she returned to the bathroom and found him in his underwear and t-shirt. The actress described the intimate encounter in detail, prompting Judge Juan Merchan to intervene and urge her not to divulge unnecessary information. Later, the Judge said he was surprised Trump’s attorneys did not object more during her controversial deposition.
Psychologist Mary Trump, who has previously denounced her uncle as a narcissist, wrote a Substack post after the testimony, saying the actress “appeared credible” and that the private segments would have been incredibly difficult for the former President. Referencing subsequent requests for a mistrial, Mr. Trump’s niece wrote, “Apparently, for Donald and his team, Daniels telling the truth was a step too far.”
The Judge adjourned for lunch after the actress described her alleged encounter with Donald Trump to the court. When lawyers returned, Trump’s team argued that Daniels’ testimony had prejudiced the jury and requested a mistrial. This was denied. Judge Merchan agreed that too much had been divulged but insisted it was the lawyers’ job to prevent that, and they had failed to register enough objections.
Daniels claims the alleged encounter with Trump occurred in California in 2006, one year after he married his wife and former First Lady Melania Trump. He denies this.
