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Tense exchanges as Trump lawyer spars with Stormy Daniels in hush-money trial
Donald Trump’s lawyer attacked Stormy Daniels’ credibility during heated cross-examination at the former president’s hush money trial.
“Am I correct that you hate President Trump?” asked Susan Necheles during tense questioning in New York that at points descended into a shouting match.
“Yes,” said the former adult-film star.
Ms Daniels‘ alleged sexual encounter with Mr Trump is at the centre of the former president’s first criminal trial.
Mr Trump denies falsifying accounts to cover up a $130,000 hush-money payment to Ms Daniels.
Ms Daniels detailed time she says she spent with Mr Trump – an account that led to a combative cross-examination.
Ms Necheles, one of Mr Trump’s defence lawyers, worked to paint Ms Daniels as driven by hatred and a desire for money. Mr Trump has denied that the sexual encounter with her occurred.
The exchanges between the two women grew increasingly heated – they were nearly shouting – when Ms Necheles accused Ms Daniels of trying to extort Mr Trump through the hush-money deal.
“False,” Ms Daniels replied. “That’s what you did, right?” Ms Necheles said. “False!” Ms Daniels repeated.
Ms Daniels’ claim – that she received $130,000 (£103,000) from Mr Trump’s personal lawyer in 2016 in exchange for her silence about having sex with him 10 years earlier – is at the centre of the historic New York trial, the first criminal trial of a former US president.
Mr Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal paying Ms Daniels to hide the alleged sexual encounter. He has denied all wrongdoing.
Earlier in the day, under questioning from the prosecution, Ms Daniels provided a detailed picture of her alleged encounters with Mr Trump.
But the star witness was repeatedly reprimanded by the judge for her meandering answers.
“Ms Daniels, please just keep the answers short,” Justice Juan Merchan said.
