Stormy Daniels — Former President Donald Trump appeared in a Manhattan courtroom this week to respond to charges of a hush-money payment scheme.
Stormy Daniels, an adult film star, is said to have paid Trump to be silent about an alleged affair.
The former president entered a not guilty plea.
Stormy Daniels has stated that she is “absolutely” willing to testify in Trump’s criminal trial in New York.
She revealed her desire to testify against the former president during an interview with Piers Morgan.
“Having them call me in and put me on the stand legitimizes my story and who I am,” said Daniels, making her first comments.
“And if they don’t, it almost feels like they’re hiding me.”
“And people automatically assume – I would – that, ‘Oh, she must not be a good witness, she’s not credible.”
Morgan asked Daniels if she intended to testify, and Daniels responded, “Oh, absolutely.”
Charges
On Tuesday, Donald Trump pleaded not guilty in Manhattan criminal court to 34 felony allegations of tampering with corporate documents.
Prosecutors alleged the activities were part of a scheme to hide payments made to Stormy Daniels during her presidential campaign in 2016.
They were meant to keep her quiet about her previous connection with Trump, which he has always denied.
Daniels, for the time being, has not been charged with any violations.
Daniels and Trump
Stormy Daniels said Thursday in an interview that if Trump is found guilty, he should not be imprisoned.
The criminal allegations filed against Trump may result in a jail sentence of one to four years.
Donald Trump might face probation if proven guilty.
“Specific to my case, I don’t think that his crimes against me are worthy of incarceration,” she said.
Stormy Daniels also commented on Trump’s appearance in court on Tuesday, saying:
“The king has been dethroned, he’s no longer untouchable.”
“And nobody should be untouchable. It doesn’t matter what your job description is, whether you’re the president.”
“Like you should be held responsible for your actions.”
Stormy Daniels has yet to come before the grand jury in charge of the hush-money investigation.
She did, however, state that she would “love nothing more” than to be questioned for the 2021 investigation.
She stated that her attorney was in contact with Manhattan and New York state officials at the time.
She also discussed meeting with them to discuss additional concerns.
Daniels stated that if a grand jury or investigators approached her, she would tell them all she knew.
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Supporter backlash
Stormy Daniels published a tell-all book in 2018 that went into great detail about the alleged encounter.
Her lawyer stated at the time that the book’s purpose was to establish that her narrative about having a sexual relationship with Trump was real.
Daniels told Morgan that she has been threatened by Trump fans for a long time, but the threats have recently grown more specific and detailed.
“They’re a lot more passionate – I guess that’s a good word,” she said.
“Enthusiastic with their threats. And they’re not hiding. And they genuinely feel that they are doing something right. That they are patriots.”
“Now they are doing it like a suicide bomber,” Daniels added.
“They truly… in the depths of their soul, they feel like they are doing the right thing.”
Stormy Daniels claims that one of the distinctions is the manner in which individuals make threats.
She went on to say that instead of communicating anonymously, they’ve been utilizing their actual email addresses, phone numbers, and social media handles.
Hearing and determination
Donald Trump is projected to be a Republican candidate in the 2024 elections, but recent events have given him a mountain to climb.
The next hearing in the case is set for December 4.
According to legal experts, a trial may not begin for another year, and an indictment or conviction would not bar Trump from running for president.
Stormy Daniels has stated that she will testify if the matter gets to trial.
“I have nothing to hide,” she said. “I’m the only one that has been telling the truth.”
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