This is Day 13 of the hush money trial and it is not a lucky number for Donald Trump. Star witness Stormy Daniels has taken the stand and by all reports she was engaging and made a lot of eye contact with the jury. Of all the witnesses so far she is the least nervous and most charming. Here’s a play by play of the testimony as it happened, and of a defendant who was visibly nervous and irritated.
JUST NOW:
Former President Trump has entered the courtroom with his usually entourage, which on most recent days includes his son Eric Trump.
He glanced around a little but made his way with good pace to his seat and is whispering feverishly with his attorneys now. pic.twitter.com/5q6aNBqdpm— Henry Rosoff (@HenryRosoff) May 7, 2024
Right now–
Furious talking at the bench out of earshot of the jury.
Probably going over rules of the road for this contentious witness Stormy Daniels.
The jury at first seems bored but seems to be realizing something big is coming based on how animated the conversation is… pic.twitter.com/oOwQl7COUR— Henry Rosoff (@HenryRosoff) May 7, 2024
Immediate reactions:
Stormy– Dressed in all black including black eyeliner. Says she prefer that we use Stormy Daniels in court. Puts her glasses on immediately.Jury– Some deep sighs and breath. They watch intently.
Trump– Trump looking down, antsy in the chair.
— Henry Rosoff (@HenryRosoff) May 7, 2024
Some smiles from the jury as Stormy recounts becoming an exotic dancer at 17 and making a lot more money than she did shoveling manure.
— Henry Rosoff (@HenryRosoff) May 7, 2024
Trumps eyes are completely closed but he's clearly listening as Stormy Daniels recounts her background…
Now at 23 Daniels got offered an adult film contract and quickly became a writer and director as well. pic.twitter.com/5vN4FZRj9Y— Henry Rosoff (@HenryRosoff) May 7, 2024
July of 2006– A celebrity golf tournament in Lake Tahoe, working for Wicked Pictures (adult film co)
First met Trump while hanging out at one of the golf holes…
Met him briefly on the course.
"Oh you direct too, you must be the smart one."
Is the first thing Trump said to her.— Henry Rosoff (@HenryRosoff) May 7, 2024
JUST NOW:
Stormy Daniels is asked to identify Trump in the courtroom. She describes what he is wearing today, craning her head to see him hunched behind a monitor. pic.twitter.com/fvd86soi9q— Henry Rosoff (@HenryRosoff) May 7, 2024
Daniels:
After the gift room– Trump whispered with an body guard Keith Schiller and then the aide approached her and asked her to have dinner.
She initially said no.
Schiller then traded numbers with Daniels.
She saved it as "Keith Trump"— Henry Rosoff (@HenryRosoff) May 7, 2024
Daniels messaged Keith.
Arranged to go cross town to Trump's hotel.
Arrived at the Harris Hotel, around sunset.
Took a special elevator to the penthouse.
Keith met her and led her in.— Henry Rosoff (@HenryRosoff) May 7, 2024
"I told him to go change and he obliged…"
He changed quickly to a button down and slacks.— Henry Rosoff (@HenryRosoff) May 7, 2024
They sat across from earlier at a table in the dining area… He suggested they talk a bit before going down or ordering food upstairs.
— Henry Rosoff (@HenryRosoff) May 7, 2024
Daniels said Trump seemed most concerned about the business aspect: union, pay, STD testing… told him in passing she's never had a "bad" test.
They also discussed pro-wrestling.— Henry Rosoff (@HenryRosoff) May 7, 2024
👀While discussing his wife Melania… Daniels:
"He said don't worry about that, we don't even sleep in the same room."— Henry Rosoff (@HenryRosoff) May 7, 2024
Conversation shifted to maybe having Daniels on the Apprentice, said she reminded him of his daughter.
Daniels said NBC would never allow it and pitched her on it… said Trump said he could tip her off to the challenges.
Trump now whispering with one of his attorneys.— Henry Rosoff (@HenryRosoff) May 7, 2024
Morning break:
Daniels leaves the stand for a moment– neither Trump nor Stormy made an attempt to look at the other.— Henry Rosoff (@HenryRosoff) May 7, 2024
It’s interesting that Trump told Stormy he and Melania didn’t even sleep in the same room when they were basically newly married. I’m sure things have only continued to get less cozy over the years.
