Stormy Daniels: The porn star's lawsuit could become a problem for Donald Trump

The alleged affair between Donald Trump and porn actress Stormy Daniels is causing a stir. Daniels claims that Trump paid her hush money before the 2016 presidential election to avoid disclosure. Trump denies the allegations. Daniels has now filed a lawsuit against the president. The legal dispute could be unpleasant for Trump - both privately and politically.

The accusations against Donald Trump

Stormy Daniels claims that Trump had an affair with her in 2006. According to media reports, the sexual relationship is said to have lasted until 2007. At that time, Trump was already married to his current wife Melania and their son Barron was born. Trump denies the allegations.

According to Daniels, Trump is said to have paid hush money to avoid publication. His lawyer Michael Cohen allegedly paid Daniels 130,000 dollars out of his own pocket. Trump denies having known about the payment. The confidentiality agreement between Cohen and Daniels was intended to prevent the affair from becoming public before the presidential election.

The lawsuit against the President

Daniels has now filed a lawsuit against Trump. She wants to have the 2016 hush agreement declared null and void. Among other things, she points out that Trump never signed the contract. Daniels could provide further evidence for her allegations. The possibility of Trump being convicted for possible violations of campaign finance laws is being discussed. He enjoyed immunity during his time in office as president, but his former lawyer Michael Cohen claims to have acted on Trump's instructions. Trump has publicly admitted to ordering the payments to Cohen to stop alleged false accusations.

A conviction could lead to a prison sentence of up to four years, according to US observers. However, it is completely unclear whether a conviction would actually lead to a prison sentence.

Possible impact on Trump's presidency

Daniels' lawsuit could become politically unpleasant for Trump. A civil rights group has called on the US Electoral Commission to investigate whether the payment of 130,000 dollars to Daniels was an illegal campaign payment. There is also the question of whether Trump knew about the payment. The debate surrounding Daniels also draws attention to Trump's relationship with women. First Lady Melania Trump has not yet responded publicly to the allegations against her husband. There is speculation that, in protest against her husband's behavior, she demonstratively had herself driven to important appointments in her own car several times instead of accompanying him as usual.

What happens next

The legal dispute with Stormy Daniels could have unpleasant consequences for Donald Trump - both privately and politically. Trump will still be able to run for the presidency in 2024 even if he is convicted. Trump has already announced that he will not withdraw his candidacy if he is indicted. It could take months or even years before there is a potential conviction. But even if he is found guilty, Trump would still have the right to stand for election. There are even precedents in US history, such as Eugene Debs, who ran for president from prison in 1920 despite being charged and convicted.