Analysis: Decoding the descriptive language in Stormy Daniels' testimony

Editor’s Note: Danielle Campoamor, a freelance writer previously associated with TODAY and NBC, shares her own views in this piece. For more of her opinions, check out CNN.

Satin pajamas, magazine spankings, the missionary position, and condom-free sex.

During a two-day period in Manhattan, Stormy Daniels, also known as Stephanie Gregory Clifford, shared her story about her relationship with former President Donald Trump and the alleged sexual encounter they had in 2006. This happened during the criminal trial of the presumed Republican presidential nominee, who was accused of falsifying business records to hide stories of alleged affairs before the 2016 election.

Danielle Campoamor

Danielle Campoamor

Ashley Batz

News anchors, on-air correspondents, and political pundits widely characterized Daniels' court testimony as "salacious," "lurid," and "tawdry." This was mainly due to the questions she answered about the night she allegedly had a sexual encounter with the defendant in a Nevada hotel suite.

The headlines that focused on the scandalous nature of the testimony may not be surprising. The political environment in our country is often filled with name-calling, grandstanding, and immature behavior. It is truly childish to view something as natural as sex as inappropriate.

It is important to consider that the media wrongly labeled a mature woman openly discussing a supposed sexual encounter with an adult man as obscene. The language used to describe Daniels’ testimony creates a sense of inherent immorality or impurity - not directed towards the accused, but towards the woman who spoke out.

When almost half of the 2016 voters viewed Trump's comments about sexual assault as normal "locker room talk," labeling Daniels’ testimony as anything other than a recollection is, at best, hypocritical, and at worst, misogynistic.

Defense attorney Susan Necheles cross-examines Stormy Daniels during the trial on Thursday, May 9.

Defense attorney Susan Necheles cross-examines Stormy Daniels during the trial on Thursday, May 9.

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The Manhattan criminal case may not be directly linked to Trump's alleged encounter with Daniels, but the specific details of their brief alleged relationship are crucial to the prosecution's argument. Back in October 2016, the release of the infamous "Access Hollywood" tape, where Trump openly talked about groping women without their consent, along with allegations of an affair shortly after his son was born, could have further tarnished Trump's already controversial presidential campaign.

Daniels followed the prosecution's instructions by providing a detailed description of the hotel room where she met Trump. She described everything from the floors to the furniture and even the contents of Trump's toiletry kit. Daniels recounted how Trump posed for her on the hotel bed, how she felt like she "blacked out" during their encounter, and how she was "shaking" when she got dressed. After that experience, she made sure that any future meetings with Trump took place in public.

These details were crucial in establishing Daniels as a credible witness. Trump had consistently denied the affair and had attacked Daniels' appearance. This behavior was in line with his pattern of denying any allegations of sexual assault, harassment, or improper sexual behavior made against him, and he often demonized the women who came forward. Trump commonly denies ever meeting or knowing his accusers, or claims that they are too unattractive to victimize. Daniels' ability to vividly describe what she alleged happened, and how enthusiastically consenting Trump was before, during, and after the encounter, was essential in this context.

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The defense, Trump, and his family are all aware of this. Eric Trump called Daniels’ court testimony a “salacious show,” which was then echoed by mainstream media with sensational headlines.

During cross-examination, the defense also played into the sexist atmosphere surrounding Daniels’ court appearance. She was criticized for making money through strip club appearances, books, and interviews, by the same lawyers representing a man who sells NFTs of himself and low-quality steaks with his name on them. Trump is even using his ongoing legal battles to raise campaign funds.

The defense tried to discredit Daniels by accusing her of making up the affair due to her background as an adult entertainer. They insinuated that she is skilled in creating fake stories about sex. They also criticized her career choices and ambition for financial success in an attempt to undermine her credibility, not just based on her testimony but also on her character. The defense painted Daniels as scandalous, sensational, and vulgar, much like how they portrayed the alleged encounter.

Despite the accusations, Daniels has repeatedly stated that she does not see herself as a victim in this situation. In a 2018 interview with CNN's Anderson Cooper, she maintained that her encounter with Trump was consensual.

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“This is not a ‘Me Too,’” she said at the time. “I was not a victim. I’ve never said I was a victim … I didn’t say no.”

Daniels has faced misogyny in various aspects of her life, including on the witness stand, in the media, and online. People have unfairly judged her testimony, reinforcing society's negative stereotypes towards women in the sex industry. These women are often labeled as immoral for embracing and profiting from their sexuality.

Sex is a natural part of human life, enjoyed by many individuals. However, it is not right to stigmatize women who openly discuss it. It is important to have open and honest conversations about sex without judgment or discrimination.

Editor's P/S:

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