Legal commentators are questioning why former President Donald Trump used a pseudonym in his non-disclosure agreement with adult film star Stormy Daniels. New York attorney Colleen Kerwick noted that it is rare for such agreements to use fake names, as the confidentiality clauses within the agreement should be enough to protect the identities of the parties involved. Both Trump and Daniels used fake names when signing the legal paperwork, with their real identities only being revealed in a side agreement meant for lawyers’ eyes only. This has raised questions about why Trump felt the need to use a pseudonym in the agreement.
During the hush money trial in New York, evidence showed that Trump and Daniels were identified as David Dennison and Peggy Peterson, respectively, in the non-disclosure agreement. Daniels’ lawyer, Keith Davidson, testified that he drafted the agreement and chose the fake names based on the first letters of the words Plaintiff and Defendant. Davidson revealed that there was a David Dennison on his high school hockey team, which is why he used that name for Trump in the agreement. This choice of pseudonym has led to speculation and raised eyebrows among legal analysts.
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is seeking to prove that before the 2016 presidential election, Trump paid or discussed paying Daniels to keep quiet about an alleged affair they had. Trump denies the affair, claiming it is all part of a witch hunt against him. The use of pseudonyms in the agreement has been seen as a potential building block for the case against Trump, as it could indicate an attempt to cover up certain actions. Legal experts have pointed out that the alleged crimes in this case relate to falsifying records to hide payments made to Daniels.
MSNBC legal correspondent Katie Phang has questioned why Trump would choose to use a fake name in the confidential settlement agreement with Daniels unless he was trying to hide something. Phang highlighted the fact that Trump’s lawyer, Michael Cohen, insisted that only he possess a copy of the side agreement that revealed the real identities of Trump and Daniels. This secrecy surrounding the disclosure of real names has added to the intrigue surrounding the case and has raised suspicions about what Trump may be trying to conceal through the use of pseudonyms.
Political commentator Brian Krassenstein reported that during the trial, jurors laughed when Davidson explained how he chose Trump’s pseudonym. When asked if David Dennison was a real person, Davidson humorously responded that he was on his high school hockey team. This lighthearted moment in court hinted at the unusual nature of the situation, with Davidson acknowledging that Dennison would likely be upset about his involvement in the case. The use of pseudonyms, along with the secrecy surrounding the disclosure of real names, has added a layer of complexity and intrigue to the legal proceedings involving Trump and Daniels.
