Donald Trump’s legal team attempted to serve Stormy Daniels a subpoena at an event in Brooklyn last month, but she refused to take it. Daniels, who is expected to be a witness at Trump’s criminal trial, was approached by a process server with papers related to a documentary about her life and involvement with Trump. However, she walked away and did not acknowledge the server. Trump’s team is now asking a judge to force Daniels to comply with the subpoena, claiming it is necessary for the trial.
Daniels’ lawyer, Clark Brewster, claims they never received the subpoena and calls it an unwarranted fishing expedition with no relevance to the trial. Daniels is expected to testify about a $130,000 payment she received in 2016 to keep quiet about a sexual encounter with Trump. Trump denies the alleged encounter and has pleaded not guilty to falsifying business records. His lawyers argue the payments to his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, were legitimate expenses.
The Manhattan district attorney’s office plans to challenge Trump’s credibility if he chooses to testify at the trial, questioning him about recent legal setbacks, such as being ordered to pay a $454 million civil penalty and being found liable for defamation. A hearing is set to determine if this will be allowed. Prosecutors can question witnesses about past legal matters under New York law. Trump has said he wants to testify but is not required to.
Trump’s lawyers are seeking documents related to the promotion and editing of the documentary about Daniels, titled “Stormy,” as well as any compensation she received for the film. They claim the film’s premiere on NBC’s Peacock streaming service before the trial began created negative publicity for Trump that could impact his chance of a fair trial. The subpoena also requests communications between Daniels and other potential witnesses, such as Cohen and Karen McDougal, another woman who alleges an affair with Trump.
Judge Merchan previously blocked an attempt by Trump to subpoena NBC Universal for information related to the documentary, calling it a fishing expedition. Trump’s lawyers accuse Daniels of trying to promote her brand and make money off her status as a witness. The ongoing dispute over the subpoena is part of the broader legal battle surrounding Trump’s criminal trial, the first of four cases to go to trial. Seven jurors have been selected so far, with jury selection set to resume. Daniels’ testimony about the payment she received is expected to be a key part of the trial.
