After Stormy Daniels took the stand on Tuesday for her testimony against former President Donald Trump, CNN’s legal experts had some insight into the adult film star and the effectiveness of the defense team’s cross-examination.
Daniels detailed her alleged 2006 sexual encounter with Trump and $130,000 hush money payment from Trump’s former attorney, Michael Cohen, before the 2016 presidential election.
As the defense began to probe deeper, Daniels shouted, “He made fun of me first!” as she described her r disdain for Trump and the media scrutiny she’s faced.
Meanwhile, Trump, who was also present in the courtroom, appeared calm in contrast to Daniels.
CNN described Daniel’s outburst as “toddler-like” behavior on display.
The defense argued that Daniels’ explicit testimony overstepped the bounds of relevance, which the presiding judge denied.
CNN’s legal experts also observed the apparent shift in attitudes, pointing to the version of reactions between Daniels and Trump.
Looking visibly tense, Daniels has crossed her arms, while Trump appeared visibly relaxed, CNN noted.
Trump’s attorney mounted a pointed cross-examination of Daniels, calling into question her motives and credibility.
Daniels seemed to struggle to maintain composure during the grilling, which prompted CNN legal analysts to laugh out loud.
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The hush money payment, which is central to the prosecution’s case that Trump falsified business records, saw Trump face 34 counts of falsifying business records, all of which he pleaded not guilty, and denied the affair with Daniels.
Daniel’s testimony was intended to solidify the prosecution’s claim that the hush money was coordinated to hide damaging information in violation of campaign finance laws.
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As Trending Politics News noted, The playacting contrasted with more serious elements of Daniels’ testimony, like when she claimed she told Trump in 2006 about her sexual health. She said she chose to work for her employer Wicked Pictures because the studio had a “condom-mandatory company.”
“At the time you had to be tested every 30 days,” she said according to CNN.
“Even when I worked with my husband, I had to use a condom, even though I’m allergic to condoms, latex.”
She added that Trump had “very thought-out business questions” about her career during their meeting at a Lake Tahoe celebrity golf tournament.
“He asked how I got involved in the adult entertainment business,” Daniels says.
“He was very interested in how I segued from just being a porn star to writing and directing. He asked about the business aspects of it.”
“‘Are there any unions, do you get residuals, how are people paid? Do you get health insurance? What about testing? Are you worried about STDs?’ He was very interested in a lot of the business aspects of it which I thought was very cool.”
READ: CNN Panel Stuns Viewers, Shreds Alvin Bragg’s Case against Trump
