Stormy Daniels Recounts Puzzling Encounter with Donald Trump
Cover Image Source: Getty Images | Albert L. Ortega; (Inset): James Devaney
In a candid and revealing interview with Vogue, adult film star Stormy Daniels recounted a bizarre encounter with former President Donald Trump that she says continues to puzzle and haunt her. The incident, which Daniels places in 2006, allegedly occurred in Trump’s hotel suite in Nevada.
According to Daniels, she was met with an unexpected sight as Trump appeared before her in his underwear, awkwardly attempting to channel the suave demeanor of actor Burt Reynolds. At the time, Daniels was a prominent figure in the adult entertainment industry, exploring opportunities to branch into mainstream media.
Her interaction with Trump stemmed from a chance meeting at a golf tournament, which led to an invitation to discuss a potential role on his reality show, “The Celebrity Apprentice.” What was intended to be a professional dinner meeting, however, took a turn towards the personal under circumstances Daniels describes as “dubiously consensual” as mentioned by the New York Post.
Reflecting on the encounter, she expressed her confusion and discomfort, noting, “I know I didn’t say no. But I also know I didn’t say yes.” The fallout from their meeting escalated when Trump’s lawyer, Michael Cohen, arranged a payment of $130,000 to Daniels, purportedly to prevent her from discussing the incident publicly. This payment has since become a focal point of legal scrutiny, with Trump facing allegations of falsifying business records related to the transaction.
Throughout the interview, Daniels shared her concerns about her safety during the encounter, particularly given the presence of Trump’s bodyguard nearby. She pondered the potential consequences of resisting Trump’s advances, questioning whether the bodyguard would intervene in a harmful way.
Daniels also expressed her dismay at her portrayal in the media and the public’s response to her story since it first gained widespread attention in 2018. She criticized the media’s preference for using her legal name, Stephanie Clifford, rather than acknowledging her professional and creative achievements in the adult film industry. Moreover, she noted a perceived double standard in public discussions about her involvement with Trump, feeling that her role was often trivialized or misrepresented.
Despite the intense public and media scrutiny she has faced, Daniels maintains a sense of humor about her unexpected prominence in political discourse. She mused about the surreal nature of her life’s trajectory, half-jokingly suggesting that she wouldn’t be surprised if she ended up running for president one day. Daniels also indicated a desire to shift the conversation away from politics to more personal passions, like her love for horses.
As for her future, Daniels hinted at potential plans to produce a movie, though she remained coy about the details. She concluded her reflections with a poignant desire for justice, not just for herself but for broader accountability regarding the former president’s actions, underscoring her complex role in a saga that intertwines personal narratives with national political controversies.
