Trump's Throwaway Words

The trial continues, Stormy Daniels takes the stand.

According to The NY Times, the courtroom was electric in anticipation of Stormy Daniels’ testimony today, which was announced around 9 am. I was going to write today about the notion that the media (CNN in particular) keeps referring to “celebrity” or sensational witnesses as opposed to the ones we’ve had thus far. The drugery of bookkeepers and employees of Trump are important, of course, for the case that the prosecution is building. Daniels would be one such sensational witness by that definition. At times, certain media is making this into a reality tv show; however, trials are indeed theater.

Past Trump vs Present Trump

The first witness today is someone from Penguin Random House who is asked about Trump’s books. While a copy of one of his books remained on a monitor, the prosecution quoted passages from his books; these will be used against him. For example, “For many years, I’ve said that if someone screws you, screw them back,” and, “When somebody hurts you, just go after them as viciously and as violently as you can.” Or passages that discuss how he personally signs all his checks and keeps a keen eye on all expenses. Another: “All the women on ‘The Apprentice’ flirted with me." As the Times wrote, it’s Trump past vs Trump present, his own words are being used against him.

Next up on the witness stand was Stormy Daniels. This is where I wish I were in the courtroom; I can read the description of what she is wearing and that she seems nervous and is a fast talker, but I don’t know how to draw her. She tells the room about a difficult childhood, and described her work as an adult film star and director— the prosecution is smart to detail her business sense and how she took control of her work. She is not a victim.

As the prosecution asks her questions about meeting and dining with Trump, he gives little to no reaction. From what I am reading, much of her testimony is direct answers that describe events, place and dialogue in detail, but what she is saying between the lines must be incredibly annoying for Trump. For one, he said he never had an affair with Daniels; but more so, he is not in control here.

He mouths “bullshit” when Daniels says she asked him over dinner, “Are you always this rude? Are you always this arrogant and pompous? Like you don’t even know how to have a conversation,” and then recalls playfully spanking him with a rolled-up magazine, and saying he was much more polite afterwards. The Times reports that her derision towards Trump is very clear.

One gets the sense that he was never in control when he was around Daniels.

They are on a break now, I will return later today with more. Here is the NY Times coverage that is informing my synopsis for you. I will draw Daniels in my next post— I am a passanger in a car right now, we are picking up our daughter from the airport!