Adult film actress paid $130,000 in hush money before 2016 election; central witness in Trump’s 2024 criminal trial
Background
Stormy Daniels, born Stephanie Gregory Clifford, is an adult film actress, director, and writer. In October 2016, shortly before the presidential election, she received a $130,000 payment through a shell company established by Michael Cohen in exchange for a non-disclosure agreement about an alleged sexual encounter with Donald Trump in 2006. Daniels testified at Trump’s 2024 criminal trial, describing the alleged encounter. The payment and associated falsification of business records formed the basis of Trump’s 34-count indictment and conviction.
