There are moments, more than others, that scream the humiliation of it all.
Take this, before the proceedings begin on Tuesday. “No description of genitals or anything, but it’s important to demonstrate that she had sex with him.”
This was the assurance of the prosecution before the interrogation Stormy Daniels After that of Donald Trump The lawyers had objected, in advance, to her testifying about the details of the sexual acts.
It would be that kind of day in that kind of trial.
The Trump trial as it unfolded: Stormy Daniels accused of lying about parking lot ‘threat’
In a darkened New York courtroom, it was the president and the porn star, together again, in a most reductive reunion for Mr. Trump.
He might have gotten assurances on the anatomical details, but, from the moment the court heard “The People Call Stormy Daniels,” it was undoubtedly Mr. Trump with his pants down.
Ms. Daniels shared her story of growing up in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, the daughter of a single mother. She edited her high school newspaper, loved ballet and horses, and had ambitions of becoming a technician.
By the time she met the 27-year-old Mr. Trump, we learned that she was an adult film actress and director, star of films like 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up.
According to her, the meeting with Trump was more like Austin Powers – the penthouse suite, the satin pajamas and the spanking with a rolled-up magazine.
“Bullshit,” Mr. Trump was heard muttering. His problem is that this kind of shit sticks.
Stormy Daniels recalls her bedroom encounter with Trump
Whatever her lawyers’ protests about Ms. Daniels’ credibility — and there are flaws — it hardly grabs headlines from the watching and voting public.
What will they bring from the courtroom to the voting booth in November? Beyond the images, what message does it send to key demographics?
An affair with a porn star, even if she’s married, doesn’t fit with the evangelical principles so central to the Trump vote in 2016. Suburban women might also be shaken by this sordid look behind the scenes of the presidency.
How worried will Mr. Trump be? Worth around $130,000 (£103,000). That’s the bounty he paid to prevent the story from being published.
Unfortunately, for him, the insurance policy is exhausted.
After a night with the porn actor, these are the harshest consequences.
