Debunking misinformation about Stormy Daniels amid Trump hush money trial | Fact check
Hannah HudnallMisinformation is flourishing on social media as former President Donald Trump's hush money trial rolls into its second week. Trump, who has become the first former president to stand trial in a criminal case, is accused of falsifying business records to hide a $130,000 hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election.
Daniels' 2018 signed statement denying an affair with Trump (which she later denounced) has been a popular jumping-off point for social media users. Others have speculated about the porn star's legal fee payments and alleged business relationships.
Here's a roundup of fact-checks about Daniels and the hush money trial from the USA TODAY Fact-Check Team.
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Claim: Stormy Daniels letter denying affair with Trump was 'just found'
Our rating: False
The letter is not new. It was signed and published in January 2018 and has been covered widely by various media outlets in the years since. Describing this letter as "exonerating" as many have on social media overreaches since Daniels later said the denial was a "lie" and was signed out of fear of legal repercussions. Read more
The claim: Photo shows Stormy Daniels went to Trump hush money trial in a mushroom-printed dress
Our rating: Altered
The mushrooms have been digitally added to the image. Daniels did not wear a mushroom print dress, nor has she made an appearance at Trump’s hush money trial as of April 23. Read more
Claim: Order for Stormy Daniels to pay Trump legal fees shows indictment is 'absurd and fake'
Our rating: False
The court order is related to a 2018 defamation case adult film actress Stormy Daniels filed against former President Donald Trump. The case is unrelated to Trump's Manhattan indictment, numerous legal experts said. Read more
The claim: Bill Clinton paid Paula Jones $850,000 in 'hush money'
Our rating: False
Multiple legal experts said Clinton’s $850,000 payment to Jones as part of a settlement agreement is not considered "hush money" since the facts of the case were already publicly known. Read more
Claim: Fox News reported on a business relationship between Stormy Daniels, House Speaker Mike Johnson
Our rating: False
Spokespeople for Johnson and Fox News said the claim is false. It originated with a satirical social media account. Read more
Claim: Post implies Stormy Daniels' statement is new
Our rating: Missing context
The implied claim here is wrong. The statement in question was released in 2018. Daniels later said it was a lie and that she felt forced to sign it because of a non-disclosure agreement she had signed. Read more
Other claims about Trump's legal troubles
The claim: Post implies corruption explains gap between Trump's $454M bond and Madoff's $10M bond
Our rating: Missing context
The implied claim here is wrong, as it's built on a faulty comparison between two different types of cases. Trump's bond is to protect his assets while he appeals his civil fraud trial loss. Madoff's bond, on the other hand, was part of an agreement that kept him out of jail while his criminal case moved through court. Read more
The claim: Trump was criminally prosecuted for taking out a loan and paying it back
Our rating: False
The post is wrong in two ways. The Trump case referenced in the post is civil, not criminal, which means Trump was not accused of a crime. New York's attorney general sued Trump for fraudulently inflating his wealth on financial statements used to get loans and insurance, not for taking out and repaying a loan. Read more
The claim: Charges against Trump include potential for death penalty
Our rating: False
The special counsel's office overseeing the prosecution told USA TODAY the claim is false, explaining that Trump’s case does not meet the requirements for capital punishment. Legal experts agreed the claim is not valid and pointed out the death penalty is rare, even in applicable cases. Read more
Claim: Trump was charged with espionage
Our rating: False
Legal experts said Trump was not charged with espionage in the classified documents probe. He was charged with the willful retention of national defense information under the Espionage Act for allegedly possessing documents related to national security. Experts said the Espionage Act encompasses crimes other than espionage itself. Read more
Claim: Merrick Garland stripped Trump of right to run in 2024 after evidence of 'justice obstruction' was found
Our rating: False
Garland does not have the authority to prevent Trump from running for president, according to legal experts. Even if Trump is indicted in the classified documents case, he can still run for president. Read more
Claim: Biden ordered Trump's indictment
Our rating: False
Legal experts said Biden does not have the authority to bring criminal charges against anyone. That authority lies with federal prosecutors. In the classified documents probe, Justice Department special counsel Jack Smith made the decision to indict Trump, not Biden. Read more
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