The defense’s latest cross-examination of Stormy Daniels during Donald Trump’s hush-money trial has faced criticism from legal experts. Daniels, an adult film star, provided detailed information about her alleged affair with Trump during her testimony, but experts deemed much of it irrelevant to the criminal case. George Conway, a frequent Trump critic and lawyer, described the cross-examination as a “complete disaster” and “embarrassing.” Trump has pleaded not guilty to charges related to falsifying business records in connection with hush money payments made to Daniels to keep their alleged affair secret before the 2016 election.
During the trial, Conway criticized Trump’s legal team, describing their continued cross-examination of Daniels as a “fiasco.” He suggested that the defense’s approach was counterproductive, as Trump’s focus on disproving the affair may have been damaging. The defense attempted to challenge Daniels’ credibility during the cross-examination, implying that her career in adult entertainment made her experienced in fabricating stories. However, Daniels defended herself, emphasizing that she had experience in memorizing dialogue, not in fabricating real-life experiences. The judge rejected a mistrial request from Trump’s lawyers, who claimed Daniels’ testimony implied sexual assault by the former president.
Judge Merchan criticized Trump’s lawyer for not objecting to certain questions during Daniels’ testimony and questioned the choice to focus on her credibility rather than the substance of the case. Legal experts suggested that the defense may have been more aggressive in their questioning of Daniels on the second day of her testimony, but she maintained control over the situation. Despite attempts to discredit her, Daniels used the opportunity to highlight the power imbalance between herself and Trump. The trial is set to resume, with further testimonies expected.
Criticism of Trump’s legal team’s handling of Daniels’ cross-examination continued as the trial progressed. Laura Jarrett, an NBC anchor and senior legal correspondent, expressed concerns about the defense’s tactics, noting that their focus on Daniels’ background in adult entertainment seemed outdated in the era of the Me Too movement. Harry Litman, an attorney and former deputy assistant attorney general, also criticized the defense’s cross-examination, suggesting that it was ineffective and, at times, offensive. Overall, the defense faced challenges in discrediting Daniels and maintaining control over the narrative during her testimony.
The hush-money trial against Trump remains ongoing, with further proceedings expected in the coming days. Legal experts and commentators continue to monitor the case closely, noting the challenges faced by the defense in discrediting Daniels and shifting the focus away from Trump’s alleged actions. The criticisms of the defense’s handling of the cross-examination highlight the complexities of the case and the legal strategies employed by both sides. As the trial progresses, the outcome remains uncertain, with the focus shifting between legal arguments and personal testimonies.
