'Funniest trial ever': Internet weighs in as Stormy Daniels claims she never asked for money from Donald Trump

Stormy Daniels revealed her intentions behind selling her story ahead of 2016 election
PUBLISHED MAY 9, 2024
Stormy Daniels testifies against Donald Trump in the hush money criminal trial (Getty Images)
Stormy Daniels testifies against Donald Trump in the hush money criminal trial (Getty Images)

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Donald Trump's defense has delved into the motivations behind Stormy Daniels for selling her story ahead of the presidential election in 2016.

During the hush money criminal trial on Thursday, May 9, defense attorney Susan Necheles cross-examined the adult film star on her decisions leading up to signing a non-disclosure agreement with the former president.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 09: Stormy Daniels arrives at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 09, 2024, in New York City. Stormy Daniels, whose sexual encounter with Trump is at the center of this case, returns to the stand today to continue her testimony in former U.S. President Donald Trump's hush money trial. Former President Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in the first of his criminal cases to go to trial. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Stormy Daniels arrives at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 09, 2024, in New York City (Michael M Santiago/Getty Images)

Inside Donald Trump's hush money criminal trial

Trump currently faces trial for falsifying his business records to conceal hush money payments to Daniels to not disclose their alleged affair before the 2016 election.

In April 2023, he pleaded not guilty to a 34-count indictment in connection to the hush money criminal case. 

(Getty Images)
Donald Trump faces the New York hush money criminal trial (Getty Images)

Susan Necheles asks why Stormy Daniels sought financial compensation

In a riveting courtroom exchange, Necheles grilled Daniels on why she did not simply disclose her story of her alleged sexual encounter with Trump to the public without seeking financial compensation.

The adult film star previously testified that while she wished to share her truth, the fear for her safety led her to choose a different path.

She then received $130,000 after signing a nondisclosure with Trump.

During the cross-examination on Thursday, May 9, Daniels stated, "I was asking to sell my story to publications to get the truth out. I wanted to do a press conference."

Stormy Daniels says she was 'running out of time' to tell her story

As Daniels shared she thought she was "running out of time" to get her story to the public, Necheles asked, "You were running out of time to get money?"

"No, to get the story out," Daniels answered, affirming that she signed the nondisclosure agreement as she chose "to be safe." 

"You choose to make money, right?" said Necheles to which Daniels responded, "I choose to take a nondisclosure."

Pressing on the topic, Necheles asked, "You wanted money, right?"

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 16: Adult film actress Stormy Daniels (Stephanie Clifford) exits the United Sta
Stormy Daniels testified she signed a nondisclosure agreement with Donald Trump to prioritize her safety (Getty Images)

"I wanted the truth to come out. I never asked for money from anyone in particular. I asked for money to tell my story," Daniels responded, according to The Guardian.

Internet reacts to Stormy Daniels' testimony against Donald Trump

Reacting to Daniels' testimony and the ongoing courtroom drama, one user on X (formerly X) wrote, "Stormy does a great job against the defense."



 

One user wrote, "The defendant's lawyer is no match for her apparently. Her testimony sounds incredibly credible. They can't trick her in giving false testimony."



 

"This is the funniest trial ever," a netizen commented while another user wrote, "To me, this is a woman who has had to fight her entire life. It's amazing to witness her strength. This isn't the first time people have attacked her character."



 



 

"Stormy is totally destroying the defense’s line of questioning," a user tweeted and another user wrote, "They think they had her but shes turned the tables good for her."



 



 

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.

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

Don Jr's comment came after President Trump said he is planning to move ICE officers into airports amid DHS shutdown.
4 hours ago
President Trump calling it 'an honor', noting his surprise that CNN aired the poll at all
4 hours ago
The Minneapolis Mayor didn't acknowledge the DHS shutdown and instead questioned Trump’s approach to airport security.
6 hours ago
The gaffe drew attention because Democrats have been withholding funding for DHS in an effort to push changes, including cuts to ICE
6 hours ago
Trump sharply rejected criticism of his Iran strategy and accused The Times of getting the war narrative wrong, prompting a rare defense of its reporting
7 hours ago
Richard Blumenthal claimed that ICE agents will only aggravate delays and lines at airports with their 'violent lawless tactics'
7 hours ago
Sen Brian Schatz left the Senate chamber after objecting to Sen John Kennedy's proposal to block senators from collecting paychecks during shutdowns
9 hours ago
Sean Duffy warned that airport lines will grow as unpaid agents leave to find ways to pay their bills
9 hours ago
In a social media post, Donald Trump criticized Democrats, accusing them of damaging the country and creating ongoing political problems
10 hours ago
Lindsey Graham suggested that controlling Kharg Island is the only way to defang the Iranian regime
10 hours ago