Stormy Daniels, the adult film actress who claims to have had an affair with former President Donald Trump, has met with the Manhattan District Attorney's Office in connection with the ongoing investigation into alleged hush money payments made to silence her. The meeting is expected to provide crucial evidence in the case against Trump and his former personal lawyer, Michael Cohen.
The Manhattan DA's Office is probing whether Trump and Cohen violated campaign finance laws by making payments to Daniels and attempting to conceal them from the public. Cohen has previously pleaded guilty to charges related to the payments and has cooperated with prosecutors, implicating Trump in the process.
Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, alleges that she received a $130,000 payment from Cohen in 2016 to keep quiet about her alleged affair with Trump in 2006. The payment, which was made shortly before the presidential election, has been at the center of the investigation, with prosecutors seeking to determine whether it constituted an illegal campaign contribution.
In a statement, Daniels' lawyer said, "Ms. Clifford is cooperating fully with the Manhattan District Attorney's Office and providing truthful and important information in its investigation. She is committed to assisting in any way she can."
The meeting between Daniels and the Manhattan DA's Office is expected to shed light on the circumstances surrounding the payment and its possible connection to Trump's presidential campaign. While Cohen has previously testified about the payments, Daniels' account could provide additional evidence to support the allegations against Trump.
The hush money investigation is just one of several legal challenges facing the former president, who has consistently denied any wrongdoing. However, the involvement of Daniels in the case has drawn significant attention, given the nature of her allegations and her high-profile legal battles with Trump in the past.
As the investigation continues, the Manhattan DA's Office will likely seek further information from key players involved in the alleged payments, as well as any documentation that may provide insight into the matter. The testimony of Stormy Daniels could be a crucial piece of the puzzle, potentially revealing new details about the former president's actions and exposing him to further legal jeopardy.
With the stakes high for both Trump and the Manhattan DA's Office, the outcome of the hush money investigation could have far-reaching consequences for the former president's future and the broader political landscape in the United States.