Adult film actress Stormy Daniels and President Donald Trump's former attorney, Michael Cohen, have frequently been at odds since news broke that Cohen arranged a hush payment to Daniels just ahead of the 2016 election in exchange for her silence regarding an alleged 2006 affair with then-nominee Donald Trump.
While Trump and Cohen frequently decried Daniels as a liar while moving to publicly humiliate her in hopes of Trump avoiding scrutiny for breaking campaign finance laws.
Things have changed a lot since then.
As it turns out, Daniels's allegations were true. Trump's and Cohen's alliance dissolved and today, he's testifying before Congress, asserting that he did in fact make the payments to Daniels. What's more, they were made at Donald Trump's direction. This isn't the first time Cohen has admitted to this under oath, but it is the first time he's publicly provided documentation: a wire transfer from him to Daniels's attorney for $130,000 as well as reimbursement checks written to Cohen by Donald Trump.
Now, after a year of animosity between Daniels and Cohen, Daniels commended the disgraced attorney for finally owning up to his misdeeds.
Daniels said:
"Michael, I'm proud of you for finally beginning to tell the truth about what you did, and trying to repair some of the harm you have caused. I can hear the pain and regret you feel for betraying your family and your country. My heart goes out to you and your family."
Read the full statement below:
Daniels continued, reiterating that the pain Cohen feels is familiar to her as well, because she experienced it as a result of Cohen's actions during his tenure working for Trump:
"I understand your fear, Michael...Do you believe now that when you and the President called me a liar, when you were his attorney and you insulted me, threatened to bankrupt me and worse, that you put me and my family in danger? I remember the fear you feel. I still feel it. Thank you for having the courage, at long last, to begin to tell the truth."
Daniels concluded with genuine well wishes:
"I hope that someday soon, your family and mine can both leave this nightmare behind."
Twitter users applauded the maturity and graciousness of her statement.
She isn't the only one extending forgiveness to Cohen.
After years of serving as Trump's pit bull, even offering threats to journalists in an effort to shield him, some believe that Cohen has finally seen the light.
Among them is Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) who said at the conclusion of her questioning:
"Thank you very much for your testimony, and, Mr. Chairman, this is a story of redemption."
Others concur.
Some on both sides are still skeptical and wish that Democrats would toughen their questions.
While Cohen's redemption or lack thereof may not be unanimous, it's clear that Stormy Daniels's conscience remains clear.
@AhmedBaba_/X
@Greenshades9/X
@masonisonx/X
@NikonD330Fan/X
@elnopower/X
@ParapenteJohn/X
@andrewonseeair/Bluesky
@emer.net; @spryoldlorax/Bluesky
@dansynth54/Bluesky
@RibGoneRogue/X
@lizzicochrane/X
@rowast.com/Bluesky
@pinkmouse/Bluesky
@vicky8651/Bluesky
@fireinsp/Bluesky
