Analysis: Stormy Daniels' Impact on Trump's Legacy

Ana Marie Cox, a political journalist and writer based in Austin, shares her personal views in this piece. Keep reading for more opinions on CNN.

Stormy Daniels is the type of woman that could potentially unsettle former President Donald Trump the most: a woman who may be scared but remains brave enough to speak the truth.

Ana Marie Cox

Ana Marie Cox

Faith Fonseca

A new documentary titled "Stormy" on NBC's Peacock streaming service follows Daniels' transformation from a thriving adult filmmaker to a resilient figure in national politics. Starting off as a star and transitioning to a director/producer early on in her career, Daniels has faced challenges but has emerged strong.

When viewers watch her story, they may find themselves going through a journey of their own. Initially, I, like many others on the left, felt sympathetic towards her. However, I also couldn't help but feel a bit judgmental about her hesitance to join the "resistance" and her apparent willingness to profit from being pushed into the anti-Trump movement.

But then again, how different is Daniels from the creators of the Lincoln Project or the various Never Trump conservatives who also capitalized on lucrative speaking engagements and fast-selling books? As she mentions in the documentary, "If you drive an ice cream truck and the city is experiencing a heat wave, you'd be foolish not to drive your ice cream truck."

True, she may have earned her living in front of a camera rather than a lectern, but that only made her more engaging and enjoyable to watch compared to Bill Kristol or Rick Wilson. She is equally captivating. In addition, Kristol, Wilson, and other conservative critics of Trump who appear on cable news have not encountered the same obstacles as Daniels in sharing their stories. It was Daniels who was mistakenly arrested by allegedly politically motivated police officers, a violation of department rules as later determined by the city of Columbus, settling her subsequent lawsuit alleging civil rights violations.

Furthermore, Daniels' experience delves into potentially more personal betrayal and mistreatment than any other Trump critic who has distanced themselves from the Republican Party (Daniels has previously identified as a registered Republican). Her encounter and its aftermath – a claimed sexual assault followed by relentless attacks on her character and threats to her safety – shed light on the daily struggles faced by countless women at the hands of men far less powerful than the former president.

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Daniels, now 45 years old, was raised by her mother in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She started her career as a stripper at the age of 17, ventured into acting in adult films in 2002, and eventually transitioned into writing and directing. In July 2006, she crossed paths with Trump at a celebrity golf tournament and claims they had a sexual encounter that weekend. Trump, however, has denied any sexual involvement with Daniels.

The documentary primarily explores the aftermath of Daniels’ interaction with Trump rather than focusing on the alleged incident itself. Through her evolving perspective, we witness the profound impact of the situation on her. Initially, Daniels seemed nonchalant and defiant when recounting the events. She even expressed a sense of responsibility, stating to Anderson Cooper, “Well, you put yourself in a bad situation and bad things happen, so you deserve this.” Daniels maintained that the encounter with Trump was consensual and adamantly declared, “I’m not a victim” in interviews with various media outlets.

Admitting that you were taken advantage of and acknowledging that your safety and personhood were violated can actually be empowering. In the documentary, Daniels reflects on how her upbringing in the South led her to comply with Trump's advances. She explains, "I was taught to respect and obey elders" (a term that would surely enrage Trump).

Daniels has realized that, whether she liked it or not, she became a symbol of strength and courage for many Americans. She expresses a sense of responsibility to live up to the support she has received, stating, "I feel like I better do something that’s worthy of what they’re giving me." She now views her encounter with Trump as an assault and regrets not speaking out sooner. She acknowledges, "If someone gets away with something so brazen, the worst part is that I am partially responsible for every woman that could have come after me." While the blame should always lie with the perpetrator, she believes that speaking out can be a way for survivors to support other women as well as themselves.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who is running for the Republican presidential candidate, made an appearance at the North Charleston Convention Center on February 14, 2024. He was there for a Get Out The Vote rally in North Charleston, South Carolina.

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However, despite the power Daniels has regained, the violations persist. She has already lost the life she once knew. Despite what many believe, she has not gained much from this experience. Former advocate Michael Avenatti, who helped negotiate money for her through book deals, took a large portion of it. His quick decision to sue Trump for defamation on her behalf, without her consent, resulted in her having to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees. Her marriage fell apart, and she had to fight for joint custody of her daughter while trying to salvage something from her fame. To make matters worse, she continues to face constant mockery and ridicule.

The documentary repeatedly mentions how Daniels has experienced moments of fearing for her life. She explains that she agreed to the $130,000 hush money payment before the 2016 presidential election because she believed it would create a trail connecting her to Donald Trump, thus preventing any harm to her. These fears are valid, considering Trump's history of using violent language that cannot be overlooked as mere words. His recent statement about a potential "bloodbath" if he loses the 2024 election may have initially been about the auto industry, but in Trumpland, context is often disregarded. Trump seldom provides context in his speeches, allowing his supporters to interpret his words as they see fit. When he directs their anger towards someone, that individual should be concerned. Having been in the press pool at his rallies, I have experienced firsthand the fear of being targeted by the crowd, regardless of the actual level of threat.

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Trump’s treatment of women, including Stormy Daniels and the young women at his beauty pageants, reflects his view of women as objects. Despite accusations of assault, Trump denies pressuring any women for sex.

As an adult filmmaker, Daniels is familiar with objectification and has worked to assert her own agency in the face of Trump's actions. Her story is about reclaiming her humanity, not just what Trump did to her. By staying true to herself, Daniels makes a powerful statement against dehumanization.

Editor's P/S:

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Stormy Daniels' story is a captivating and complex one, exposing the challenges faced by women who speak out against powerful men. Daniels' initial reluctance to join the "resistance" and her willingness to profit from her anti-Trump stance may have drawn judgment, but upon closer examination, her actions become understandable. Daniels' experiences as an adult filmmaker and her subsequent encounter with Trump have given her a unique perspective on the abuse of power and the importance of reclaiming one's humanity.

Paragraph 2: