Trump Says He Knew Nothing About Stormy Daniels Payment

President Donald Trump finally weighed in on the Stormy Daniels scandal on Thursday, saying that he had no knowledge of the $130,000 payment his personal attorney made to the adult film actress in return for her silence about their 2006 affair.

CNN’s Kevin Liptak noted that Trump’s brief remarks to reporters aboard Air Force One were the first time he has publicly addressed the scandal. Trump added that he didn’t know why his lawyer, Michael Cohen, made the payment, or where he got the money.

“You’ll have to ask Michael Cohen,” Trump said. “Michael is my attorney. You’ll have to ask Michael.”

The Wall Street Journal first reported in January that Cohen had arranged the payment to Daniels—real name Stephanie Clifford—a month before the 2016 election. The lawyer has subsequently said that he paid the sum out of his own pocket.

Daniels’ lawyer, Michael Avenatti, responded on Twitter, accusing Trump of lying.

The scandal has stayed in the news for what seems like eons compared to many other Trump-related controversies, with Daniels giving an extended interview to 60 Minutes late last month. Trump reportedly obsessed over the interview within the confines of the White House, though he remained silent until now.