The Wall Street Journal broke a story late last week, explosively claiming that Trump paid an adult film star, Stormy Daniels, a massive sum to keep their affair quiet. While the affair was alleged to occur in the mid 2000’s, the political impact of such a claim is still developing.
The Evangelical right, and Trump’s base of supporters seem unfazed by the allegation – willing to forgive much, in exchange for having their legislative priorities brought to the forefront. Famous Evangelical broadcaster, Pat Robertson, in a July 2017 interview with the President summed up the sentiment saying, “were tired of being kicked around by Barack Obama and his leftists. And I think they are finally glad that there’s somebody on the playground that is willing to punch the bully.”
This is not the first, nor the last, allegation of marital infidelity for a politician or a President. In the ‘90s, President Bill Clinton had an affair with a young White House Intern, Monica Lewinski. However, Clinton was involved in a sexual affair with a barely-legal intern, Monica Lewinski. Moreover, Clinton denied having the affair while under oath, triggering the impeachment process and staining the office of the Presidency for decades.
The allegations against Trump are notably different. While a business tycoon, and wealthy playboy, with no ambitions for office – in 2006, he had an affair with an adult Pornstar from the ‘90s, Stormy Daniels. While the Republican reaction has been muted, to non-existent, the Democrats are crowing that affair shows how Trump is immoral and unfit for office. Conservatives view the allegations as an attempt to sabotage Trump’s presidency, by dredging up old and irrelevant details of a distant past. In either case, Trump was able to seduce such a woman at the ripe old age of 60 – impressive!
