By Devi Bridgemohan
Staff Reporter
Stormy Daniels sat across from Anderson Cooper with her legs crossed and hands in her lap. She was making her first live appearance on 60 Minutes to speak about her past.
“I guess I’m not 100% sure on why you’re doing this,” said Cooper.
“Because it was very important to me to be able to defend myself,” said Daniels.
The alleged affair between Stormy Daniels and President Donald Trump is on its way to becoming the most discussed “hush-agreement” in history.
Trump’s personal attorney paid Daniels (her real name is Stephanie Clifford) $130,000 to keep quiet about her alleged relationship with the President.
Trump has since denied having an affair with Daniels. His lawyers are now threatening her with $1 million dollar fines for every time she speaks on the matter. Despite the risks, Daniels refuses to stay silent.
Daniels isn’t the only person to come forward about a sexual encounter with the president. Although she denies being a victim, as their alleged encounter was consensual, other women have accused the president of past sexual harassment. The list includes former Miss Washington Cassandra Searles and Natasha Stoynoff, a former writer for “People.”
There have been many differentiating opinions since the news of this alleged affair has resurfaced. The question is then raised: do you believe Daniels is telling the truth?
“Based on all the information that I have gathered about the situation between Stormy Daniels and Trump, I think that Trump is lying by stating that the affair between them did not happen,” said sophomore Rosheika Vaughan.
While some students were straightforward with their beliefs, others were found at a crossroads.
“Strictly from a moral perspective, I disagree with his actions,” said freshman Greg Lynch. “Yet I would not like to have my past put under a microscope either because everyone makes mistakes.”
“I believe that everyone is making it harder for Trump to serve his four-year term,” said Lynch. “It is difficult this day and age to do anything without drama arising. Yet legalities are legalities, and the proper legal actions will be taking place and this will be resolved.”
Recent sexual harassment claims made against Trump also come in the wake of the “#MeToo” movement. Public intolerance for sexually abusive behavior has prompted a spike in claims being brought forth across Hollywood and other sectors of society.
“I think the movement has made a huge impact in our society because it addresses something that has been ignored for so long,” said Vaughan. “I think the movement is very important because it is giving a voice to people who have often been silenced throughout other generations.”
Some students believe people can also take advantage of this movement for their own motives.
“I think many of the claims are true, but I feel like many people can get caught up in the sort of mob mentality of casting blame on people,” said freshman Michael Wasserman.
“I think it’s important because people need to realize that this can happen to everyone and hopefully it will motivate people to speak up and not feel alone,” he said.
According to Forbes.com, Daniels’ attorney Michael Avenatti has recently filed for permisison to depose President Trump and his attorney Michael Cohen.
(Quotes from Cooper and Daniels taken from CBS.org, Original 60 Minutes Interview with Stormy Daniels.)
