Stormy Daniels’ Suit Against Trump Could Be Tossed Over ‘Chilling Effect’
U.S. District Judge S. James Otero hinted he might toss out Stormy Daniels’ defamation suit against Trump due to its potential to ‘hamper political discourse.’

Photo Illustration by The Daily Beast
A federal judge in Los Angeles could soon toss the defamation lawsuit Stormy Daniels filed against President Trump earlier this year.
On Monday afternoon, U.S. District Judge S. James Otero said Trump’s tweet in response to Daniels’ claim that a mystery goon intimidated her in Las Vegas appeared to be “rhetorical hyperbole” and protected speech.
In April, Daniels and her attorney presented a forensic sketch of a man who allegedly warned her to “leave Trump alone” in 2011, soon after she spilled the story of her alleged romp with Trump to InTouch magazine.
Daniels sued Trump for defamation, claiming he was pegging her as a liar on Twitter.
ADVERTISEMENT
“A sketch years later about a nonexistent man. A total con job, playing the Fake News Media for Fools (but they know it)!” Trump wrote.
Get the best of The Beast delivered right to your inbox
By clicking “SUBSCRIBE” you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Judge Otero, who could issue a ruling in the coming days or weeks, said allowing Daniels’ defamation claim to continue would bring “a chilling effect for candidates running for office” and “hamper political discourse,” the New York Daily News reported.
After the hearing, Daniels’ attorney Michael Avenatti told reporters Trump’s First Amendment argument reeked of hypocrisy.
“This is the same Donald Trump that has crapped all over the First Amendment and the news media for years (and) wants to jail journalists,” Avenatti said. “The irony associated with that is absolutely palpable.”
Meanwhile, a hearing for Daniels’ lawsuit against Trump and his ex-attorney, Michael Cohen, over the infamous “hush agreement” is scheduled for December.
Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Daily Beast.
Monthly
$1
First month then $5.99/month
Annual
$35
First year then $59.99/year
Premium
$79
First year then $119.99/year
*Substack access provided by the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement to Substack’s Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Sign In
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You're all set!
Thanks for subscribing.
