Everyone anticipated that the 60 Minutes interview of Stormy Daniels about her affair with Donald Trump would be a major blowout. I even have friends living in Vancouver, Canada call to say they would be watching. But Stormy’s interview was quite underwhelming by all accounts.
Her attorney had stated that she would be a credible witness. Well credibility, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Ms. Daniels’ (not her real name) credibility on her account of meeting with Donald Trump and having unprotected sex with him while in a hotel room on their first meeting, rang true. Her demeanor and tone of voice in speaking sounded as if she were telling the story to a girlfriend—instead of to Anderson Cooper on 60 Minutes. I have no doubt that she met Trump in a hotel room, flirted with him, had conversation and ultimately had unprotected sex with him—albeit she said that she was not attracted to him. Her statement that Trump told her she reminded him of his daughter also rang true. Another woman who alleges an affair with Trump almost says the same exact words by Trump. I would have concerns if my father said an adult porn star reminded him of me, right before he had sex with her.
Stormy Daniels was paid $130,000 to keep her sexual encounter a secret. And she said that she signed the nondisclosure agreement in November, 2016 because she felt it was the right thing to do. She stated she had no intentions of kissing telling. In January, 2018, she later signed a statement that read on 60 Minutes that she only met Trump in public. The question was still left unanswered for me as to why she came public now. My suspicious are that she now realizes her story for payment of a one- night affair is well worth over $130,000 and she wants to cash in with book deals, movies and interviews. Anderson Cooper asked her about this and she denied it.
Her version didn’t rang true about threats on her life in Las Vegas and that she wanted to defend herself from statements in the media. No offense to Stormy but I don’t see how with her profession that she felt the need to ‘defend” her reputation. And Michael Cohen filed a cease and desist letter immediateley following her interview due to her attempts to connect him to a threat on her life.
In any event, as Stormy has filed a lawsuit to nullify the nondisclosure agreement, we may soon learn more sordid details. She failed to answer if she had tapes, Emails or any other material involving Trump. It wouldn’t surprise me if she has some other sordid proof of her relationship with Trump. Remember Monica Lewinsky kept the soiled blue dress. That’s where I think the real value is in her story—if there is more proof to it.
And Trump and his attorney Michael Cohen may be in jeopardy of going afoul of the federal election laws. Cohen by giving the $130,000 to Daniels far exceeded what an individual donor may give to a candidate. And Cohen’s hush money could likely be perceived as an in-kind contribution to the Trump campaign 11 days before the election—in an effort to affect the outcome of the election.
As for Stormy, a court will review the “hush” agreement to determine if it is legit. Stormy Daniels filed in court to be relieved of the agreement as it was never signed by Trump—who now seeks to enforce it. I suspect that a court will declare that the agreement is unenforceable for that reason.
So Cohen and Trump may be in hot water. Stormy on the other hand is likely just getting started with playing with Donald Trump. After all, her interview clocked in at one of the most watched since 60 Minutes 2008 interview with Barack and Michelle Obama.
Washington, Dc based Debbie Hines is a lawyer in private practice and a former prosecutor.
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