Trump reportedly got his son Eric involved in trying to silence Stormy Daniels in February


A new report suggests President Trump and his son Eric Trump were both involved in efforts to silence Stormy Daniels earlier this year.
The Wall Street Journal reports that in February, President Trump personally directed his lawyer, Michael Cohen, to pursue legal action against Daniels, the adult film star who claims she had an affair with Trump in 2006. In a phone call, Trump reportedly instructed Cohen to seek a restraining order against Daniels, who at the time was preparing to go public with her story, having previously signed a non-disclosure agreement.
Additionally, Trump reportedly instructed Cohen to "coordinate the legal response" with his son Eric, at which point the president's son got an attorney for the Trump Organization involved in signing the paperwork. Eric Trump is currently leading the Trump Organization with his brother Donald Jr. While directing these legal efforts, President Trump promised that he would cover the fees, saying, "I'll take care of everything," the Journal reports.
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.
Earlier this year, after this call with Cohen would have taken place, President Trump denied having any knowledge of a payment made to Stormy Daniels in 2016 in order to keep her silent about an alleged affair, Vox reports. But in August, Cohen said he made the payment under Trump's direction, per The New York Times. Read more at The Wall Street Journal.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
5 vengefully funny cartoons about punishing Trump's political enemies
Cartoons Artists take on vengeance in a shutdown, the hounds of Pam Bondi, and more
-
Political cartoons for October 18
Cartoons Saturday's editorial cartoons include conversion therapy, Russ Vought, and more
-
President Trump: ‘waging war’ on Chicago
Talking Point Federal agents are carrying out ‘increasingly aggressive’ immigration raids – but have sanctuary cities like Chicago brought it on themselves?
-
DOJ indicts John Bolton over classified files
Speed Read Continuing the trend of going after his political enemies, Trump prosecutes his former national security adviser
-
Trump, Putin set summit as Zelenskyy lands in DC
Speed Read Trump and Putin have agreed to meet in Budapest soon to discuss ending the war in Ukraine
-
Courts deal setbacks to Trump’s Chicago operations
Speed Read President Donald Trump cannot deploy the National Guard in Illinois
-
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