Stormy Daniels is crowdfunding to prepare for legal battle with Trump


Anyone who's ever wanted to help a porn star take down a president now has their shot to chip in.
Adult film star Stormy Daniels, who says she had an affair with President Trump in 2006 and received $130,000 at the height of his presidential campaign to stay silent about it, is raising money for her legal fees in anticipation of a lengthy court battle to speak freely about the allegations.
The actress, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, launched an online crowdfunding campaign on Wednesday and promptly raised more than $30,000. The fundraising effort will help fund "attorneys' fees; out-of-pocket costs associated with the lawsuit, arbitration, and my right to speak openly," Daniels says.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Daniels is seeking freedom from the nondisclosure agreement she signed with Trump’s attorney in October 2016. Trump has denied that the affair occurred. His attorney, Michael Cohen, at first denied her allegations, then later said he helped "facilitate" the payment. Daniels offered to return the money in exchange for freedom to speak of the alleged affair, but Cohen did not respond before the offer’s Tuesday deadline. The fundraising campaign itself has a longer-term deadline: Donations will be accepted for another 29 days.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Summer Meza has worked at The Week since 2018, serving as a staff writer, a news writer and currently the deputy editor. As a proud news generalist, she edits everything from political punditry and science news to personal finance advice and film reviews. Summer has previously written for Newsweek and the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, covering national politics, transportation and the cannabis industry.
-
Pentagon reporters turn in badges after refusing rules
Speed Read They refused to sign a restrictive new press policy imposed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
-
Supreme Court points to gutting Voting Rights Act
speed read States would no longer be required to consider race when drawing congressional maps
-
Trump says he authorized covert CIA ops in Venezuela
Speed Read He is also considering military strikes inside the country
-
‘Vile, racist’ leaked chats roil Young Republicans
Speed Read Leaders of Young Republican groups made racist, antisemitic and violent comments in private chats
-
Trump ties $20B Argentina bailout to Milei votes
speed read Trump will boost Argentina’s economy — if the country’s right-wing president wins upcoming elections
-
News organizations reject Pentagon restrictions
Speed Read The proposed policy is Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s latest move to limit press access at the Pentagon
-
Trump declares end to Gaza war, ‘dawn’ of new Mideast
Speed Read Hamas freed the final 20 living Israeli hostages and Israel released thousands of Palestinian detainees
-
Trump DOJ indicts New York AG Letitia James
Speed Read New York Attorney General Letitia James was indicted as Trump’s Justice Department pursues charges against his political opponents