# Trump sued by Stormy Daniels over hush payment **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [March 7, 2018, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-sued-by-stormy-daniels-over-hush-payment/810163 "2018-03-07T02:36:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 14
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-sued-by-stormy-daniels-over-hush-payment/810163/261 "2018-03-22T17:01:51Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > So delivering that blow is job one? > > Seriously, while I am happy to have him humiliated in any way, I’d rather it be for the many reasons of substance than pics of the the huge prick having a tiny one. Covering up the affair by illegal means, sure, fair game that, but revenge porn as a political weapon really should be off limits even as a tool against this tool. Some tyrants are overthrown with gunfire, others the ballot box. Apparently the threat of a dick pic is also a possibility, and I’m fine with that. Vivat et res publica! ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 5:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-sued-by-stormy-daniels-over-hush-payment/810163/262 "2018-03-22T17:02:40Z")
There had better not be any BJ’s involved, though. That would require an investigation. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [March 22, 2018, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-sued-by-stormy-daniels-over-hush-payment/810163/263 "2018-03-22T17:24:33Z")
> [@Happy\_Lendervedder](#): > > Vivat et res publica! Oh, how I long to be able to alter quotes to remove that annoying “l” from the last word. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2018, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-sued-by-stormy-daniels-over-hush-payment/810163/264 "2018-03-23T03:02:43Z")
Personally, I care not one whit for the size, lack thereof, or even presence or absence of Trump’s penis. But he quite evidently does care, and if that caring is what drives him to make mistakes that lead to his downfall, well, that I do care about. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2018, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-sued-by-stormy-daniels-over-hush-payment/810163/265 "2018-03-23T06:15:32Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > **MfM** you do appreciate that about half of Democrats (some of whom never voted for Clinton) also felt that Clinton was moral given having had an affair and having lied to both the public and to Congress under oath about it, don’t you? > > Why? Because he hit other morality boxes, ones that counted in his role - such as empathy and so on, and those mattered to them _more_ than his sexual mores and lack of ethics regarding his sexual life. For Trump voters it aint empathy that matters more, but he does check other items of “moral” importance to them. In my model, morality is many things, but when Lewinski is in the news, that should cause your estimation of Clinton’s private morality (though not necessarily public effectiveness) to decline. For 25% of Democrats that decline led to a crossed threshold. If there’s no change in Trump’s numbers by Group A, that suggests a certain tribalism or rigidity of thinking. Honestly though, the data isn’t exactly a slam dunk for my POV. > [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > I read those answers as proxies for “Private life, none of our business”, but it would help to have that as an actual option. > [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > As for immorality, I can think of some ways to answer the “Is this immoral?” question in the negative or unsure: > > -Dispute the very concept of morality, as some folks have done around here. > -Think, “none of my goddamned business.” > -Think, “Not in the sphere of morality that matters, i.e., abdicating the duties of a public servant.” > -Think, “That’s not what matters here, what matters is legality, so this is a dumb question and I’m not gonna cooperate with it.” > -Think, “Goddammit, you’re not gonna trick me into saying something bad about My President, nice try motherfucker!” > > I don’t know what, exactly, people were thinking, but I’m guessing a lot were along the lines of the last option. I have to agree that survey questions are often interpreted loosely by respondents. (They’re also often pitched to distracted people cooking dinner.) I insist that we shouldn’t simply assume that both-sides-do-it in all contexts, all situations. [Asymmetric polarization exists](https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2014/06/yes-polarization-is-asymmetric-and-conservatives-are-worse/373044/). But I admit that teasing out the differences poses some challenge. This case is complicated by a mixture of salacious stuff (which IMO is a private matter) and the ability of Trump to be blackmailed which is a public one. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2018, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-sued-by-stormy-daniels-over-hush-payment/810163/266 "2018-03-23T06:40:57Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > [Rolling Stone](https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/features/one-night-with-stormy-daniels-the-hero-america-needs-w517692) published their profile of Stormy a couple of days ago. She appears to lead an upper middle class lifestyle, so she can probably afford to give back the funds, though it would hurt. > > I trust Stormy has a legal/financial/promotional plan. But I say she’s motivated by other concerns as well: [INDENT][INDENT][INDENT]"I was fine with saying nothing,” Daniels tells me when we catch up over the phone a few days later. “But I am not fine with being bullied into lying, or being bullied at all. > > “Standing up to bullies is kind of my thing,” she says, cheerfully. “They started it.” [/INDENT][/INDENT][/INDENT] They did start it. Stormy didn’t appear to leak the NDA; somebody else did. And once it was out in the open, Cohen twisted her arm into signing a false denial. Add more pressure, and smart people will understand the need to hire a good lawyer. Good lawyers counter-sue under such circumstances, so that bullying isn’t costless. > > They also game things out. Looks like Trump’s fixer picked the wrong lady to mess with. > > [One Night with Stormy Daniels, the Hero America Needs](https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/features/one-night-with-stormy-daniels-the-hero-america-needs-w517692) Ok, I can imagine why Stormy wants to sue. I can’t fathom Karen McDougal’s motivation for going public, but that’s partly just the way I’m wired. Or maybe I’m missing something. [NPR report on McDougal’s interview with Anderson Cooper](https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/03/23/596257288/former-playboy-model-spills-alleged-affair-details-trump-tried-to-pay-her?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter). ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2018, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-sued-by-stormy-daniels-over-hush-payment/810163/267 "2018-03-23T13:12:52Z")
her lawyer tweeted a picture of a DVD or CD and added “try to deny it” ---
**Author:** ![jasg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f0a364/32.png) [@jasg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jasg)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2018, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-sued-by-stormy-daniels-over-hush-payment/810163/268 "2018-03-23T15:31:58Z")
> [@Bijou\_Drains](#): > > her lawyer tweeted a picture of a DVD or CD and added “try to deny it” The tweet I saw said “If a picture is worth a thousand words, how many words is this worth?” ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2018, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-sued-by-stormy-daniels-over-hush-payment/810163/269 "2018-03-23T17:58:44Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > the tweet i saw said “if a picture is worth a thousand words, how many words is this worth?” $130,000. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2018, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-sued-by-stormy-daniels-over-hush-payment/810163/270 "2018-03-23T22:51:35Z")
the interview with McDougal last night did not add much information. The main interesting point to me was he took her to his apartment in Trump Tower for a quick visit. ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [March 23, 2018, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-sued-by-stormy-daniels-over-hush-payment/810163/271 "2018-03-23T23:49:25Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > The tweet I saw said “If a picture is worth a thousand words, how many words is this worth?” 1. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2018, 1:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-sued-by-stormy-daniels-over-hush-payment/810163/272 "2018-03-24T01:54:13Z")
her lawyer says DVD shows evidence of relationship [https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/23/politics/stormy-daniels-lawyer-dvd-tweet/index.html](https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/23/politics/stormy-daniels-lawyer-dvd-tweet/index.html) ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2018, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-sued-by-stormy-daniels-over-hush-payment/810163/273 "2018-03-24T05:15:20Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > Ok, I can imagine why Stormy wants to sue. > > I can’t fathom Karen McDougal’s motivation for going public, but that’s partly just the way I’m wired. Or maybe I’m missing something. [NPR report on McDougal’s interview with Anderson Cooper](https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/03/23/596257288/former-playboy-model-spills-alleged-affair-details-trump-tried-to-pay-her?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter). Reading the story itself. along with the other linked article, it seems simple to me. She was promised a bunch of stuff from AMI in exchange for the rights to her story, and she doesn’t feel she actually got what she is promised. So she’s suing to invalidate the contract, and get the rights back. In particular, it sounds like she wants to publish her story of the affair, which AMI (aka the National Enquirer) has the rights to and won’t publish it. Now that he’s president, and the public is talking about these affairs, she likely thinks she could make more money on it. (Hence why she’s willing to pay it back, even though part of her money went to her lawyer). I mean, someone who likes Trump and thinks his personality is great likely is quite money-grubbing and attention whoring herself. It makes sense to me. I just hope her case doesn’t minimize the other legit ones in people’s minds. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2018, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-sued-by-stormy-daniels-over-hush-payment/810163/274 "2018-03-24T05:54:08Z")
> [@DSeid](#): > > Did you click the link? The question I cited was specifically in relation to the Stormy Daniels affair. Yes. But, for some reason, only the first page appeared when I looked before. And it seemed to align with what you are saying, so I assumed that was the only question. That is my error. Fortunately, I often tend to structure my posts where that only undoes one part of my argument, not the whole thing. And this one is no exception. So the rest still stands, including the context being different,\* the lack of clarity on exactly what is being questioned as being disqualifying (the affair, the coverup, the payment, the lack of remorse, etc.), the fact that the Democratic Party has changed, the additional facts we have, and the actual differences in the situations involved. My point remains that I do not agree with your idea that hypocrisy is the correct interpretation. I don’t agree with assuming that the Democrats are just as immoral and will change their morals based on whether the president has a R or D after their name. At least, that’s what is seemed to me that you were saying. \*The context being that Trump is a much more immoral person, and having performed more immoral actions, especially those that would be immoral no matter what your policy beliefs. I’m talking corruption, collusion, threats, censorship, authoritarian attempts, his various immoral tweets, etc. If GW Bush were caught in an affair, I would think it was less of a problem, too. I have friends who have had affairs. GW Bush is generally someone who cares about this country, and that allows for a lot more forgiveness. ---
**Author:** ![E-DUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/e-dub/32/403_2.png) [@E-DUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-DUB)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2018, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-sued-by-stormy-daniels-over-hush-payment/810163/275 "2018-03-24T14:46:44Z")
After all these stories, Bill ought to just come out and call trump an “honorary Clinton”. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2018, 3:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-sued-by-stormy-daniels-over-hush-payment/810163/276 "2018-03-24T15:03:30Z")
I was no fan of Clinton’s politics, but that’s a terrible insult – for Clinton. ---
**Author:** ![DSeid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dseid/32/20194_2.png) [@DSeid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSeid)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2018, 5:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-sued-by-stormy-daniels-over-hush-payment/810163/277 "2018-03-24T17:26:16Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > … your idea that hypocrisy is the correct interpretation. I don’t agree with assuming that the Democrats are just as immoral and will change their morals based on whether the president has a R or D after their name. > > At least, that’s what is seemed to me that you were saying. … If it seemed that way to you then there is some misunderstanding at play. If hypocrisy is involved it is in every possible direction but I think it is less hypocrisy than the human condition: we compartmentalize and we filter. Yes the D side is _a bit_ better at recognizing that and being on guard for it than are many on the R. The comment had been in response to the expressed befuddlement at how Trump supporters could believe him to be a “moral leader” in the face of these charges. Doing _that_ is a widespread human cognitive failing but not a moral failing. What his supporters DO think is his moral leadership OTOH is to me the more serious issue. ---
**Author:** ![Lance\_Turbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lance_turbo/32/6156_2.png) [@Lance\_Turbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lance_Turbo)\ **Post date:** [March 24, 2018, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-sued-by-stormy-daniels-over-hush-payment/810163/278 "2018-03-24T17:42:04Z")
> [@jasg](#): > > The tweet I saw said “If a picture is worth a thousand words, how many words is this worth?” It did say that, but it also included “#pleasedenyit” at the end. > [@](#): > > If “a picture is worth a thousand words,” how many words is this worth???#60minutes #pleasedenyit #basta ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2018, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-sued-by-stormy-daniels-over-hush-payment/810163/279 "2018-03-25T09:14:21Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Reading the story itself. along with the other linked article, it seems simple to me. She was promised a bunch of stuff from AMI in exchange for the rights to her story, and she doesn’t feel she actually got what she is promised. So she’s suing to invalidate the contract, and get the rights back. > > In particular, it sounds like she wants to publish her story of the affair, which AMI (aka the National Enquirer) has the rights to and won’t publish it. Now that he’s president, and the public is talking about these affairs, she likely thinks she could make more money on it. (Hence why she’s willing to pay it back, even though part of her money went to her lawyer). IIRC, the going rate is $130,000 of which she kept $88,000. She has to go to court to be released from the NDA, which racks up more legal fees. And for what? So she can publish her memoir? Does she think that her movie rights will be worth something? TV interviews don’t pay the bills. I don’t see how she can come out ahead on this. Stormy’s business model, OTOH, looks more plausible, as media attention boosts her stripping fees and her story is frankly more entertaining. And while both have personal motivations, Stormy’s seems more compelling to me, not that this is something I have a good take on. Ditto for the business stuff. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2018, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-sued-by-stormy-daniels-over-hush-payment/810163/280 "2018-03-25T12:33:28Z")
NY Times article on Daniels early life and her career start [https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/24/style/stormy-daniels.html](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/24/style/stormy-daniels.html) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-sued-by-stormy-daniels-over-hush-payment/810163.md?page=13) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/trump-sued-by-stormy-daniels-over-hush-payment/810163.md?page=15)