Donald Trump and Stormy Daniels: A look into their alleged affair amid hush money trial

8 things you need to know about Donald Trump and Stormy Daniels' alleged affair

Former President Donald Trump's historical criminal trial centers on Stephanie Clifford, better known by her stage name Stormy Daniels. Daniels has repeatedly provided details of her alleged 2006 affair to the public, despite Trump's denials. Daniels also claims to have received hush money payments in exchange for her silence. Let's take a look at what exactly happened between Donald Trump and Stormy Daniels. Here are things you should know about their alleged affair.

1. The two first met in July 2006

Stormy Daniels described how she met Donald Trump to Anderson Cooper during her '60 Minutes' interview. The blonde beauty claims that in July 2006, while attending a celebrity golf event in Lake Tahoe, they crossed paths. Daniels told Adult Video News, "That was actually my first time on a golf course, and when you're riding around with Donald Trump in an Escalade golf cart during your first time out on a course, I'd say I was doing all right."

2. Their alleged sexual encounter

Trump allegedly asked her to dinner after their meeting and they met in his hotel suite. Daniels acknowledged that they ate dinner alone in their hotel room that evening and did not venture out. The adult film star said she apparently excused herself and walked to the bathroom. Cooper questioned about what transpired next. She said, "I was in there for a little bit and came out and he was sitting, you know, on the edge of the bed when I walked out, perched." After that, she supposedly had sex with the then-60-year-old Trump. Daniels said it was completely consensual.

3. Trump's Stormy Daniels affair happened months after he became father

In March 2006, Melania Trump gave birth to Barron Trump, her only child with the former President. The alleged affair was eventually discovered by her and the rest of the world more than ten years after the sexual encounter, which took place four months after his son's birth. A source told 'People' about the affair's effect on Melania stating, "She remains angry and doesn't want to hear [the alleged hush money payment] mentioned. She is aware of who her husband is and keeps her life upbeat with her own family and a few close friends."

4. Trump-Stormy Daniels alleged affair continued

Daniels recalled in the same interview with Anderson that Trump had thought she would be open to seeing him again after that night. According to reports, the two stayed in touch and had many meetings, including one in Trump Tower's office and another at a reception for the Trump Vodka launch party in California. She said, "And this was not a secret. He never asked me not to tell anyone. He called several times when I was in front of many people and I would be like, 'Oh my God, he's calling.' They were like, 'Shut up, the Donald?'"

5. Duo reconnected a year later

Donald Trump allegedly asked her to a private meeting at his bungalow at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles, a year after their initial meeting. It appears that the reason for their meeting in July 2007 was her possible inclusion on 'Celebrity Apprentice'. Daniels told Anderson, "I remember arriving, and he was watching 'Shark Week'. He made me sit and watch an entire documentary about shark attacks." Daniels admitted that she did not have sex with Trump again, even if the politician wanted to.

6. Signing a non-disclosure agreement

Stormy agreed to sign a non-disclosure agreement prohibiting her from discussing their relationship in public just before the 2016 election. Michael Cohen, Trump's then-attorney, also paid her $130,000, according to records in federal court in Los Angeles.

7. Alleged affair gets exposed

The Wall Street Journal reported, "Trump Lawyer Arranged $130,000 Payment for Adult-Film Star's Silence," 15 months after Stormy Daniels signed the NDA, proving that Daniels and Trump had an alleged affair. However, Cohen denied the claims during his interview with NBC News. The lawyer said, "These rumors have circulated time and again since 2011. President Trump once again vehemently denies any such occurrence, as has Ms Daniels."

8. Stormy Daniels changes her statement

Stormy Daniels delivered a signed statement ahead of Donald Trump's State of the Union speech, in which she refuted the affair. Having previously disclosed information on her meetings and sexual experiences with Trump, she denied the claims. She said in the signed statement, "The fact of the matter is that each party to this alleged affair denied its existence in 2006, 2011, 2016, 2017 and now again in 2018. I am not denying this affair because I was paid 'hush money' as has been reported in overseas owned tabloids. I am denying it because it never happened."