Donald Trump is doing everything he can to keep details of his alleged romps with porn star Stormy Daniels out of the public eye.Michael Cohen, the president’s personal attorney, filed documents with a California court Monday seeking to have a lawsuit filed by Daniels addressed through private arbitration, and not in open court.Daniels’ lawsuit challenges a non-disclosure agreement she signed days before the 2016 presidential election. The adult film actress was paid $130,000 in “hush money” by Cohen, but has offered to return the cash “to set the record straight” in regard to her fling with Trump.Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, claims the agreement is invalid because it was only signed by Cohen, not Trump. She is also suing Cohen for defaming her by insinuating she lied.Daniels told “60 Minutes” recently that the affair began in 2006 and lasted for about a year. Cohen claims that by breaking her agreement, Daniels is liable for as much as $20 million.Reacting to the application, Michael Avenatti, Daniels’ lawyer, said they would “vigorously oppose” having any decision “hidden from the American public.”READ: Stormy Daniels is now suing Trump’s lawyer, too“This is a democracy, and this matter should be decided in an open court of law owned by the people. #sunlight,” he tweeted.Avenatti also noted that Cohen’s declaration did not say he never discussed the agreement with Trump, that Trump did not know about the agreement, or that Trump did not ultimately pay the $130,000. If Cohen did indeed discuss or receive the payment from Trump, federal election law may have been violated.
Cover image: Donald Trump looks on near the Easter Bunny during Easter celebrations at the White House in Washington, DC, on April 2, 2018. (ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP/Getty Images)
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While both Cohen and the White House have denied the affair, Trump has yet to publicly comment on the porn star’s claims.