Former President Donald Trump's attorney Alina Habba was widely mocked after she tried to discredit adult film actor Stormy Daniels' testimony in Trump's election interference trial—only to own herself when she inadvertently brought attention to her own lack of credibility.
Habba—who recently defended Trump for falling asleep during court proceedings—raised eyebrows with the following remark during an interview with Fox News personality Sean Hannity:
“When you have inconsistencies with any witness, it speaks volumes. When you pick people who aren’t credible, it speaks volumes."
You can hear what Habba said in the video below.
Contrary to Habba's belief, Daniels has a lot of credibility.
The criminal trial in New York revolves around accusations that Trump falsified business records in an attempt to conceal hush money payments made to Daniels before the 2016 general election.
Trump's former attorney, Michael Cohen, reportedly paid $130,000 to Daniels to keep quiet about her alleged affair with Trump. These payments were later reimbursed to Cohen by the Trump through monthly installments, which were recorded as payments for legal services, over the course of Trump's first year in office. But the payment to Daniels, and the scheme to conceal it, was hatched prior to the election.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records—and Habba has continued to defend him despite facing criticisms both from the Trump camp and the general public for inconsistent statements that have undermined Trump's defense.
The irony was completely lost on the not-so-self-aware Habba—and she was swiftly called out.
Daniels testified for nearly five hours on Tuesday and is expected to take the stand again on Thursday.
She recalled her evening with Trump in 2006 at his luxurious Lake Tahoe hotel suite, where she was invited for dinner. Trump greeted her wearing silk pajamas and displayed rudeness, prompting her to playfully swat him with a rolled-up magazine. When she inquired about his wife, Trump reassured her that it was not an issue because they did not share the same bedroom.
Daniels went on to detail their sexual encounter, which occurred after she returned from the bathroom to find Trump in his boxer shorts and T-shirt. When she tried to leave, he blocked her way, though she noted it was not done in a threatening manner. She described the encounter as brief and mentioned a "power imbalance," while noting that she did not verbally refuse.
Her testimony prompted Trump to express his displeasure to his lawyers, muttering "bulls**t" loudly enough to receive a private reprimand from the judge, who deemed it "contemptuous." Judge Juan Merchan rejected the defense’s bid for a mistrial.
