Asked about claims that porn actress Stephanie Clifford, who uses the stage name Stormy Daniels, was physically threatened in order to keep quiet about her alleged affair with President Donald Trump, White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee on Friday said that the White House does not condone any threats.
“Obviously we take the safety and security of any person seriously, certainly would condemn anyone threatening any individual,” Sanders said.
She would not address alleged threats made to Clifford, however, and referred reporters to Trump’s outside legal counsel.
“I have no knowledge of that situation,” she said, adding that she hasn’t spoken to Trump about the matter.
Clifford’s lawyer, Michael Avenatti, told MSNBC Friday morning that Clifford was “physically threatened” to remain silent about her alleged affair with Trump. He later told TPM’s “Josh Marshall Podcast” that he and Clifford both fear for their “physical safety.”
“I have no knowledge of that situation,” she said, adding that she hasn’t spoken to Trump about the matter.
It strikes me as significant that she didn’t issue a denial and distanced herself from any knowledge of the story. I don’t think she’s lying here. I don’t think she wanted to know and Trump, oddly enough, didn’t vent over it. Normally, when he is exorcised about something (like crowd size, collusion, etc), he demands and dictates what he wants said at the presser and prepares for a meltdown if he doesn’t get what he wants.
Cohen has a reputation on the street for Sopranos style tactics when he’s squeezing people. Trump is probably aware of his standard practice and is going to let Cohen take the fall. They’re afraid of Avenatti. If he is telling people that Stormy was threatened during the negotiations or thereafter, that would invalidate the contract (as well as open up other potential charges). That Trump or Cohen isn’t fighting back for the moment is noteworthy to me. At this point, even a subsequent denial should be viewed as tactical, not substantive or factual. They fear that Avenatti has evidence that he can supply to create an issue of fact at trial.
UPDATE: Based on Josh’s interview and some interviews with other networks, Avenatti has said or indicated the following:
left it open that stuff happened, significant detail is what gives her credibility;
Overall, L’Affaire Stormy definitely established itself today as a higher grade threat to the Trump Presidency than previously understood. How much of a threat depends on the quality of the evidence Daniels has to present and her willingness to continue taking risks of breaching the contract (which I believe she is doing right now).
In all of today’s revelations from Avenatti, the illegal campaign donation aspect was not mentioned. I do think the facts warrant a federal investigation, whether by Mueller or a separate DOJ attorney working with the FBI.
“Except, of course, for undocumented immigrants, and the children of undocumented immigrants, and the families of undocumented immigrants, and people who seem like they are undocumented immigrants and, oh yes, people of low moral character like Stormy Daniels, . . . . and my boss, . . . . and I guess, . . . .me, his devoted slave and servant”
What does Sister Sarah’s Personal Lord and Savior think about someone threatening the life of a porn star they had an adulterous affair with? She may need to reread the Gospel of Leisure Suit Larry.
Sanders not lying? Surely you jest.