Donald Trump’s defence attorney made a bold move on Thursday, accusing Stormy Daniels of slowly changing the details of her alleged 2006 sexual encounter with the former president. The attorney, in the hush money trial, tried to persuade the jurors that Daniels, a key prosecution witness, cannot be trusted.
The case against Trump revolves around the $130,000 payment made to Daniels by Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, just days before the 2016 presidential election. The payment was made in exchange for Daniels’ silence about her alleged affair with Trump.
During the trial, Daniels testified that she had a sexual encounter with Trump in 2006, while he was married to his current wife, Melania Trump. She also claimed that she was threatened by an unknown man in a parking lot in 2011 to keep quiet about the affair.
However, Trump’s defence team is now questioning the credibility of Daniels’ story. They pointed out that she has changed her account of the alleged affair multiple times over the years, implying that she may not be a reliable witness.
In his opening statement, Trump’s defence attorney argued that Daniels has changed the location and timing of the alleged encounter, as well as the description of the man who threatened her. He also highlighted that she initially denied the affair in a statement released by Cohen in 2018.
The defence team also brought up Daniels’ past interviews, where she gave different versions of the events. They argued that this shows she cannot be trusted and may have a motive to lie.
This strategy by the defence is a crucial one, as the prosecution’s case heavily relies on Daniels’ testimony. If the jurors have any doubts about her credibility, it could weaken the prosecution’s case against Trump.
The defence also pointed out that Daniels has profited from the alleged affair by writing a book and appearing in numerous interviews. They argued that this could be a motive for her to fabricate the story and gain publicity.
Trump’s attorney also brought up Daniels’ past legal troubles, including a defamation lawsuit filed against her by Trump in 2018. They suggested that she may have a history of lying and manipulating the truth.
The defence’s tactic of questioning Daniels’ credibility is not surprising, as it is a common strategy in trials. However, it remains to be seen if it will be successful in swaying the jury’s opinion.
Meanwhile, Daniels’ lawyer, Michael Avenatti, dismissed the defence’s claims, stating that they are trying to distract the jurors from the facts of the case. He also argued that Daniels’ story has remained consistent and that any minor discrepancies are due to her trying to protect her privacy.
This trial is not just about the alleged affair between Trump and Daniels; it is also about the hush money payments made to her. The prosecution argues that the payment was a violation of campaign finance laws, as it was made to influence the election.
Trump’s defence team, on the other hand, claims that the payment was a personal matter between Trump and Cohen and had nothing to do with the election. They also argued that the payment was made to protect Trump’s reputation, not to influence the election.
The trial is expected to last for several days, and both sides will present their evidence and call their witnesses. It remains to be seen if the defence’s strategy of attacking Daniels’ credibility will be successful in convincing the jurors.
This trial is just one of the many legal battles that Trump has faced since leaving the White House. It has once again put him in the spotlight, and the outcome of the trial could have significant implications for his reputation and future political aspirations.
In conclusion, the defence’s claim that Stormy Daniels’ testimony cannot be trusted is a crucial element in the hush money trial against former President Donald Trump. It remains to be seen if the jurors will be convinced by this argument or if they will focus on the facts of the case. This trial is a significant moment in Trump’s post-presidency journey, and the world will be watching closely as it unfolds.