An online crowdfunding campaign to help adult film star Stormy Daniels cover her legal fees associated with violating a nondisclosure agreement she made with President Trump’s attorney in 2016 has surpassed $160,000 in donations from more than 5,000 donors since its mid-Wednesday inception.
Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, launched the fundraiser in an attempt to cover the costs involved with backing out of a secret deal she made with Trump attorney Michael Cohen in the weeks leading up to the November 2016 presidential election.
“I am attempting to speak honestly and openly to the American people about my relationship with now President Donald Trump, as well as the intimidation and tactics that he, together with his attorney Michael Cohen, have used to silence me,” Daniels wrote on the website.
Cohen has acknowledged paying Daniels $130,000. She has said she was paid off to be quiet about an affair she carried on with Trump in 2006 and 2007, while he was married to Melania Trump.
Daniels has offered to pay back the $130,000. Last week, her lawyer filed a suit claiming Trump never signed the nondisclosure agreement and it was not valid.
She vowed Thursday not to pocket additional money that is raised and said a lawyer is handling the finances.
“First, I want to be clear as to what this money is NOT being raised for. This money is not going to me personally. Ever. It is only being used to cover the legal expenses and potential damages I describe on the home page,” she wrote. “If the money is not needed, it will be used pursuant to the crowdjustice guidelines on unused funds as with all other cases on their site. In other words, I am not going to pocket any money. The money is being controlled at all times by my attorneys in a trust account.”
