The Stormy Daniels scandal has been a constant source of controversy and speculation since it first emerged in 2018. The adult film star’s alleged affair with then-presidential candidate Donald Trump and subsequent hush money payment from his personal attorney, Michael Cohen, have been the subject of legal battles and political drama. With recent developments leading to the indictment of Cohen and potential legal troubles for Trump, it’s worth taking a detailed look at the timeline of events that led to this point.
The Trump-Daniels Timeline: From Hush Money to Indictment?
2011-2016: Alleged Affair and Hush Money Agreement
In 2011, Donald Trump allegedly began an affair with adult film star Stormy Daniels while she was working at a golf tournament at which he was a celebrity guest. According to Daniels’ account, the affair continued for several months and ended in 2016, shortly before Trump was elected president. In the months leading up to the election, Trump’s personal attorney Michael Cohen reportedly arranged a $130,000 payment to Daniels to keep quiet about the affair.
2018: The Scandal Emerges
In January 2018, The Wall Street Journal broke the story of the hush money payment to Daniels, prompting denials from both Trump and Cohen. However, in March of that year, Daniels filed a lawsuit seeking to be released from a nondisclosure agreement that she had signed as part of the payment agreement. Later that month, Cohen admitted to making the payment and claimed that he had done so at Trump’s direction.
2019-2021: Legal Battles and Indictments
In February 2019, Cohen testified before Congress, alleging that Trump had directed him to make the hush money payment to Daniels and providing evidence to support his claim. Later that year, Cohen was sentenced to three years in prison for campaign finance violations related to the payment, among other charges. In November 2020, the New York Times reported that the Department of Justice was investigating a potential bribery-for-pardon scheme involving Cohen and Trump. In May 2021, Cohen was again in the news after he was raided by federal agents as part of an ongoing investigation into his business dealings.
The Trump-Daniels scandal has been a long and complicated saga, with legal and political implications that continue to unfold. While the events leading up to the scandal are well-documented, the ultimate outcome is still uncertain. With Cohen’s indictment and investigations into potential wrongdoing by Trump, it remains to be seen what further legal consequences may arise. Regardless of the outcome, the Trump-Daniels timeline serves as a reminder of the power dynamics at play in American politics and the lasting impact of personal scandals on public figures.