'Popcorn time, folks': Stormy Daniels trolled as she debuts at Donald Trump's hush money trial

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Former adult entertainer Stormy Daniels, who is considered the most crucial witness in the highly publicized hush money trial case against Donald Trump, took the stand for the first time on Tuesday, May 7.

Trump, 77, reportedly paid Daniels $130,000 through his former lawyer Michael Cohen ahead of the 2016 election to zip her mouth to stop her from disclosing her alleged affair with the former president in the early 2000s. However, Trump has since denied the affair, per Fox News.

Earlier on the same day, Trump's defense attorneys objected to prosecutors' plans to go through the "full details" of the alleged sexual act between Daniels and Trump during the New York criminal trial. The team argued there was no need for the details, and they further insisted that there was an issue with her credibility since Daniels had signed papers saying the sex act didn't happen. 

Stormy Daniels on how she made her way into the adult industry 

During the criminal trial, the former adult star told the courtroom that she started her pornographic career at the age of 23. Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, specifically insisted on addressing her by the stage name before she started speaking about growing up in a low-income family in Louisiana, raised by her mother after her parents divorced.

Even though Daniels went to a private Christian school her father paid for, she failed to go to college despite a full scholarship to Texas A&M.

The 45-year-old went on to say that she started erotic dancing for money when she was just 17 years old and moved out of her mother’s house around the same time, as she was neglectful and would disappear for days at a time.

“I started dancing on the weekend, which was pretty cool because I didn’t have to miss any classes,” Daniels said, per Associated Press. 

Daniels began nude modeling for magazines when she was 21. She still worked as a dancer at a club, but wouldn’t let her headline shows without more credentials. One way to be a headline dancer was to pose nude or star in adult films. 

Daniels said that she traveled to California for a shoot to be an extra. She said that the director saw Daniels and assumed she was already an adult actress, and asked her to do another film. She agreed and was eventually offered a contract at age 23. 

Daniels soon started writing and directing them, as well. She said she has directed over 150 such films and has won a roster of porn industry awards.

Stormy Daniels on how she met Donald Trump

Stormy Daniels' testimony, however, quickly shifted to the celebrity golf outing in Lake Tahoe where she came across Trump in 2006. The adult film studio she worked for at the time was sponsoring one of the holes on the golf course.

She said they initially had a “very brief encounter” when Trump’s group passed through. She recalled him chatting with her about the adult film industry and her directing prowess, remarking that she must be smart if she’s making films.

Internet reacts as Stormy Daniels takes the stand for the first time 

Netizens voiced their opinions after the popular adult entertainer took the stands for the first time since the high-profile trial case began.

One X user wrote, "Well, this trial's gonna be a circus with Stormy Daniels in the mix. Popcorn time, folks."

"Has she paid Trump the money she owes him yet?" asked one. 

"She already signed a letter saying there was nothing between her and Trump. Kangaroo court and election interference," echoed one X user and another said, "She is a witness to nothing Trump is charged with." 

"Just remember, Stormy Daniels slept with a married man knowingly, made money to keep quiet about it, so she's just a slimy as you say Trump is," opined another user.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.