Documents show Trump asked Stormy Daniels for new agreement this year.

Former President Donald Trump’s lawyer made an unusual demand to adult film star Stormy Daniels in late July, asking her to sign an agreement that would prevent her from speaking about her interactions with Trump or questioning his suitability as a candidate for president. This offer came with a financial incentive – a reduction in the amount Trump was seeking to settle legal fees from a defamation lawsuit. Essentially, this agreement aimed to silence Daniels from sharing any information about Trump in the run-up to the 2024 election.

These shocking revelations were brought to light through documents provided by Daniels’ attorney Clark Brewster to CBS News. Just eight weeks prior, Trump had been convicted of 34 felonies related to a scheme to conceal a nondisclosure agreement that Daniels signed just days before the 2016 presidential election in exchange for $130,000. In the agreement, Daniels had claimed to have had a sexual encounter with Trump, a claim that Trump vehemently denies.

The demand for a new NDA came up during negotiations over a court-ordered payment resulting from a defamation lawsuit Daniels filed against Trump in 2018, a case that was eventually dismissed. The court ruled that Daniels had to cover Trump’s legal fees, which had remained unpaid for years due to appeals and challenges, leading to a substantial increase in the amount owed.

During Trump’s criminal trial, one of his defense attorneys grilled Daniels about the debt, as she testified about the alleged sexual encounter, the 2016 NDA, and the subsequent fallout. Trump, who pleaded not guilty, was unanimously convicted in May and is currently awaiting sentencing.

Post-trial, Daniels launched an online fundraiser that raised over $1 million to pay off the debt. Brewster, in talks with Trump’s attorney, sought to determine the exact amount owed to the former president. On July 23, Trump’s attorney stated that the bill was $652,362.23, which was higher than Brewster’s calculations. Two days later, an offer was made to settle for $620,000 on the condition that Daniels refrained from making any public or private statements related to her past interactions with Trump or making any defamatory or disparaging remarks about him or his businesses.

Daniels decided not to sign the NDA and ultimately paid $627,500 to settle the debt. Legal experts found this offer highly unusual and unprecedented, especially given the timing during Trump’s potential presidential candidacy.

When asked about the July NDA offer, Trump’s campaign spokesperson blamed hackers, claiming that the documents were obtained through an illegal foreign hacking attack against Trump and his team. The campaign is cooperating with authorities to investigate the matter.

Despite the contentious situation, Daniels remains firm in her resolve not to be silenced, as evidenced by her actions and statements throughout the legal proceedings. The battle between Trump and Daniels continues, with each party standing their ground on their respective positions.

As the story unfolds, the legal and moral implications of such demands and actions will undoubtedly be scrutinized, shedding light on the complexities of power dynamics, personal integrity, and the pursuit of justice in high-stakes legal battles.