On Thursday, following reports that they were drifting apart, Donald Trump Jr. and Vanessa Trump filed for divorce. But theirs isn’t the only Trump marriage that may teeter on the precipice.
Donald Trump allegedly had an affair with porn star Stormy Daniels while married to Melania. In addition to the personal embarrassment, the steps he allegedly took to cover it up may have violated campaign finance law.
Now, Stormy is trying to tell her story — and she’s trying to raise money from the American public to do it.
Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, may be a successful porn director who’s made paid appearances and done endorsement deals.
She’s suing Trump because she wants to be able to tell her story to the American public without incurring a $ 1 million penalty.
Lawsuits are expensive, even when you’re successful — and even when you were paid $ 130,000 in hush money to sign an NDA.
Stormy offered to refund the money, but Trump and his attorneys did not accept it by the deadline, which means that Stormy will have to sue.
There are multiple reasons for which the NDA might be void, including the attorney speaking of it and Trump having never signed it.
But to prove that case in court, Stormy is going to need money to pay attorney fees.
Her mission statement, posted where she’s raising funds, is simple:
“I am attempting to speak honestly and openly to the American people about my relationship with now President Donald Trump and the intimidation and tactics used against me.”
So far, Stormy Daniels’ crowdjustice page has raised over $ 150,000 in just a few days. She has 27 days remaining.
People are often leery of crowdfunding drives, but Stormy wants to clear the air.
“There is a lot of misinformation out there regarding the funds being raised on this site.”
She’s not asking people to give her money for personal use.
“First, I want to be clear as to what this money is NOT being raised for. This money is not going to me personally. Ever.”
It’s going directly into a legal fund.
“It is only being used to cover the legal expenses and potential damages I describe on the home page. If the money is not needed, it will be used pursuant to the crowdjustice guidelines on unused funds as with all other cases on their site.”
So no, this is not some moneygrab, folks.
“In other words, I am not going to pocket any money. The money is being controlled at all times by my attorneys in a trust account.”
Stormy has another thing that she wants to clear up.
Understandably, some folks may be hesitant about leaving the name of a world-famous porn star on their bills.
She says that this will not happen.
“Second, if you donate, your donation merely appears as a donation to ‘Crowd Justice’ on your bank or credit card statement.”
The stigma associated with sex workers can even extend to the people who pay them. That’s sad, but won’t impact people donating to help her pay attorney fees.
“There is no reference to Stormy Daniels or Stephanie Clifford.”
And, of course, she offers her thanks.
“Thank you for continuing to support me.”
Unfortunately, Stormy has more than just an expensive legal battle on her hands.
CNN reports that her attorney, Michael Avenatti, says that Stormy Daniels was physically threatened to keep quiet about her Trump affair.
Avenatti cannot disclose details at present, so he cannot say whether the person who threatened her was someone closely affiliated with Trump.
He does, however, hope that Stormy will be able to tell the whole story to everyone in the near future.
“She’s going to be able to provide very specific details about what happened here.”
Stormy Daniels’ 60 Minutes interview is scheduled to air later in March. Perhaps she will be able to say something more, though the full details of her Trump affair would still be suppressed by the NDA.
Ultimately, Stormy Daniels hopes to be able to directly discuss the Trump affair on talk shows.
Not only will it be good to clear the air (and boost her brand), but guests get paid for their appearances.
In the mean time, however, she can’t disregard the binding NDA simply because it’s probably void. She has to prove that in court.
Raising money from the American people is smart. Trump seems to be the least popular President in history, and a lot of people are happy to see him publicly embarrassed.
Will this story be his downfall? Probably not, since none of his much more serious words and actions seem to have left him vulnerable so far.
But plenty of Americans are willing to be satisfied with his public humiliation — and they’re willing to pay to see it.
