answer: none whatsoever.

Rules of the road: He who rules the roost makes the rules. Let's face it these hearings haven't exactly worked out well for the GOP. Thinking they were going to be able to kick a few Russians around they've found themselves mired in the Mueller hearings and have no way out.

There could be a whole new ball game on the hearing front if the Dems gain control of one of the houses come November although playing hide the salami with some porn star should be way down the list of things to be investigated.

Aha - the "boner spurs" defense ....

Andy Borowitz



Trump Denies Having Sex With Stormy Daniels, Citing Boner Spurs

WASHINGTON - In a preview of what promises to be an unorthodox legal defense, on Tuesday night Donald J. Trump denied having sex with the porn actress Stormy Daniels, claiming that he was prevented from doing so by a rare penile condition known as “boner spurs.” According to Trump’s attorney, Michael D. Cohen, the boner spurs have made sex “virtually impossible” for Trump for decades. “I have sworn affidavits from dozens of women who state unequivocally that sex with Donald Trump does not count as sex,” Cohen said.

Borowitz is the best satirist (not to be confused with satyrist).

heh. boner spurs.

There's also the matter of that bone spur between his shoulders.

That's a big, orange zit.

Given the fast-changing "news" on this, this graphic might already be outdated ~ ~ Sooz

EDBLOG
Know Your Players (or StormyGraphic)
By Josh Marshall | March 9, 2018 12:06 am

Since the complexity is great I created this infographic to assist you in following the Stormy Daniels story. ...


https://talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/know-your-players-or-stormygraphic

Wondering just how STUPID Michael Cohen is??? ~ read on ~ this could/should get him disbarred [at a minimum] ~ ~ "live links" in original ~ Sooz

Email raises questions about Trump World’s Stormy Daniels claims
03/09/18 02:43 PM—Updated 03/09/18 03:03 PM
By Steve Benen

At this point, we know quite a bit about the Stormy Daniels scandal. We know the adult-film star, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, alleges she had a sexual relationship with Donald Trump during his third and current marriage. We know Trump’s personal attorney, Michael Cohen, created an LLC to pay Daniels $130,000 shortly before the 2016 presidential election.

We know Daniels is bound by a non-disclosure agreement, which she’s suing to break. And we know the president’s lawyer is still trying to silence the porn star, recently obtaining a secret restraining order in a private arbitration proceeding.

But as NBC News reports today, there are still questions that are slowly getting answers.


It was previously reported that Cohen, while making the apparent hush-money payment, used First Republican Bank to wire the money shortly before the election. Now there’s an email from that bank to Trump’s attorney confirming the October 2016 transaction.

Why is this important? Keep a couple of things in mind.

First, just last month, Cohen told the Wall Street Journal, “Neither the Trump Organization nor the Trump campaign was a party to the transaction with Ms. Clifford, and neither reimbursed me for the payment, either directly or indirectly.” He added at the time that he used his “own personal funds to facilitate” the $130,000 payment.

The point was obvious: Trump’s lawyer hoped to put some distance between the apparent hush money and the president.

But as NBC News’ report added today, the previously unseen email “shows First Republic Bank and Cohen communicated about the money using his Trump company email address, not his personal gmail account.”

It led Michael Avenatti, Daniels’ current attorney, to tell NBC News, “I think this document seriously calls into question the prior representation of Mr. Cohen and the White House relating to the source of the monies paid to Ms. Clifford in an effort to silence her…. We smell smoke.”

This remains a thread worth pulling on. We still don’t know, for example, where the $130,000 came from – and in the event it came from Cohen’s own account, we also don’t know who reimbursed him for the expense.

It’d also be helpful to know what Trump knew about the “hush agreement” at the time, though the White House has been “suspiciously coy” on this point.

We’re also kicking around questions about whether the transaction is already the subject of some kind of investigation, which certainly seems like a possibility.

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW), meanwhile, lodged a civil and criminal complaint this week. The Associated Press reports that the non-profit group has asked the Justice Department and the Office of Government Ethics to investigate whether the Daniels payment “violated federal law because Donald Trump did not list it on his financial disclosure forms.”

According to CREW, the $130,000 looks like a loan that needed to be disclosed.

Look for Rachel to have more on this on tonight’s show.

Update: A Washington Post analysis this afternoon added that the information in the NBC News report suggests “federal election law was almost certainly violated.

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/email-raises-questions-about-trump-worlds-stormy-daniels-claims#break

This makes obvious WHO is keeping this story alive ~ ~ "live links" in original ~ Sooz

Trying to silence porn star, Trump World reportedly eyes new lawsuit
03/12/18 08:30 AM
By Steve Benen

We learned last week that Stormy Daniels, the porn star who received $130,000 to keep quiet about an alleged sexual relationship with Donald Trump, sat down with Anderson Cooper for an interview to air on CBS’s “60 Minutes.”

BuzzFeed reported yesterday that the president’s attorneys are considering new litigation to block the segment from airing.


It’s worth emphasizing that Trump World has an unfortunate habit of threatening all kinds of litigation, and those threats often amount to nothing. It was just two months ago, for example, that the president’s lawyers tried to block the publication of Michael Wolff’s “Fire and Fury.” The effort went nowhere.

And there’s no reason to think litigation against CBS, if it’s filed, would be any better. At issue is something called “prior restraint,” in which a plaintiff asks a court to suppress media – broadcasts, print content, etc. – that the litigant considers harmful. The existence of the First Amendment makes this difficult and creates a high bar to be cleared.

We don’t know what, if anything, Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, told “60 Minutes” about her alleged affair. Chances are, Trump’s lawyers don’t know, either. But if Trump World does bring this to court, it’s probably going to claim that Daniels is subject to a non-disclosure agreement – an agreement that CBS News had no part of – and that her claims will be libelous to the president if aired.

I’m happy to let legal experts speak to this in detail, but I have a hunch the end result will be higher ratings for the interview.

If BuzzFeed’s reporting is correct and the president’s lawyers follow through on the threat, it would also be the second legal action in as many weeks trying to silence the adult-film actress, reinforcing the impression that the controversy is making Trump World nervous.

In related news, Michael Cohen, Trump’s personal lawyer, now claims he borrowed against his home equity in 2016 in order to finance Daniels’ hush money, which (a) reflects a dedication to his client that borders on comedy; (b) further suggests he was probably reimbursed for the $130,000 payment; and (c) opens the door to possible legal sanctions against Cohen, because lawyers aren’t supposed to do stuff like this.

NBC News reports, meanwhile, that legal experts believe the hush-money payment may have been an election-law violation.

Finally, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders told reporters on Friday that Team Trump has already “addressed” the scandal “extensively,” which, strictly speaking, isn’t exactly true.

Watch this space.

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/trying-silence-porn-star-trump-world-reportedly-eyes-new-lawsuit

Too funny.

Just an observation, but if Trump's team were to file a lawsuit, it's a given that both Cohen and Trump would be subpoenaed and required to testify under oath. No way that they're going to open themselves up to that.

Now Stormy is offering to repay the $130k for a full release from the NDA ~

Sooz

Somebody is willing to pay a ton for her side of the story. Trump doesn't want anybody to know about his small... hands.

this is an amazing battle for upper hand. loving it.

If someone were to use this as the plot for a television soap I doubt that any network would accept it. After all, it's just too unbelievable. But, if someone does decide to proceed, I have the perfect title.

As the Stomach Churns

"Buckle up" seems like good advice ~ ~ Sooz

‘Time to buckle up’: Stormy Daniels prepares for ugly fight after Trump misses deadline to lift gag order
David Edwards / 13 Mar 2018 at 13:12 ET

President Donald Trump and his lawyer, Michael Cohen, on Tuesday missed a deadline that could have nullified a hush agreement on adult film star Stephanie Clifford, who goes by the stage name Stormy Daniels.

Through her attorney, Michael Avenatti, Clifford on Monday offered to return $130,000 in hush money to Cohen if he would declare the contract “null and void.” Voiding the contract would allow Clifford to speak about an alleged affair with Trump.

But Avenatti revealed in a tweet on Tuesday, that Trump and Cohen had missed the deadline to revoke the contract.

And although Avenatti did not offer specifics, he hinted that legal action was coming.

“Time to buckle up,” Clifford’s attorney wrote.


(h/t: Bloomberg)

https://www.rawstory.com/2018/03/time-buckle-stormy-daniels-prepares-ugly-fight-trump-misses-deadline-lift-gag-order/

"Physical threats", if proven, adds a new level of UGH here ~ if/when 60 Minutes airs this interview, I predict it will garner an enormous audience ~ ~ Sooz

LIVEWIRE
Stormy Daniels Lawyer: She Was ‘Physically Threatened’ To Stay Silent
By Nicole Lafond | March 16, 2018 9:13 am

Porn actress Stormy Daniels will share proof that she was “physically threatened to stay silent” about her alleged affair with President Donald Trump in an interview with CBS’ “60 Minutes,” reportedly set to air March 25, her attorney said Friday.

Daniels’ lawyer, Michael Avenatti, told CNN and MSNBC Friday morning that it was a “fact” that his client was physically threatened to keep quiet. He said he was “confident” that viewers would come away from the interview believing that Daniels’ side of the story is credible.

“I’m not alleging anything. I’m stating a fact,” Avenatti told CNN Friday. “And the fact is that my client was physically threatened to stay silent about what she knew about Donald Trump. … The American people are going to weigh her veracity and whether she can be trusted, whether she appears to be credible and whether it happened or not, and they’re going to learn the details surrounding that. We’re going to let them judge for themselves whether she’s being honest.”

CNN’s Chris Cuomo asked if that meant she had “proof” that would reveal how she was threatened and by whom.

“What I’m saying is she’s going to be able to provide very specific details about what happened here,” Avenatti said.

“Including who made the threat?” Cuomo asked.

“I’m confident that the American people, after this interview, are going to come away and have little to no doubt that this woman is credible, she’s telling the truth, and she knows what she’s talking about,” he said.


Daniels allegedly had a sexual affair with Trump in 2006 and was pressured into signing a non-disclosure agreement just before the 2016 election. Trump’s lawyer Michael Cohen paid Daniels $130,000, reportedly meant to keep her silent about the affair. Daniels sued Trump last week, arguing the agreement is null because Trump never signed the NDA.

The White House has denied all the allegations of the affair and has claimed Trump did not have any knowledge of the payments his personal attorney made to Daniels in 2016.

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/stormy-daniels-physically-threatened

Stormy Daniels' lawyer: 6 more women claim sexual relationships with Trump


(CNN) — The lawyer representing the porn star Stormy Daniels says six additional women have come forward alleging sexual relationships with President Donald Trump -- including some he says who also claim to have nondisclosure agreements.

"We've been approached by six separate women who have claimed to have similar stories to that of my client," Michael Avenatti told CNN's "New Day" Friday morning. "Two of them -- at least two have (nondisclosure agreements). We're in the very early stages of vetting those stories."

CNN's Chris Cuomo asked, "Do these women, in terms of what their allegations are at this point before you vet them, do they all involve the President of the United States?

"Yes," Avenatti replied.

More-> https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/16/politics ... index.html?

Daniels' lawyer says some alleged incidents took place during Trump presidency

Washington (CNN) — The lawyer representing the adult film star Stormy Daniels alleges that some of the accusations she's making against President Donald Trump occurred while Trump was in office.

"Is there anything in the litany of accusations -- you would call them facts -- that surround this case that happened while Donald Trump was President?" CNN's Jake Tapper asked Michael Avenatti, Daniels' lawyer, during an interview Friday.

"Yes," Avenatti replied.

When asked by Tapper if he could elaborate, Avenatti gave a simple "no."

Avenatti had claimed earlier Friday in an interview with CNN's Chris Cuomo that Daniels was "physically threatened to stay silent about what she knew about Donald Trump."

https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/16/politics ... index.html?

This gets uglier by the moment ~ and has anyone else noticed that Michael Cohen seems to have disappeared? ~ ~ Sooz

Trump lawyer seeks $20 million damages from Stormy Daniels: court filing
Reuters / 17 Mar 2018 at 08:17 ET

A law firm representing U.S. President Donald Trump and the corporation that paid porn actress Stormy Daniels $130,000 in what she called hush money over an alleged affair with Trump said in a court filing that it was seeking at least $20 million in damages for multiple violations of a nondisclosure agreement.

In a filing with the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California made public on Friday, the Blakely Law Group also asked for a lawsuit by Daniels that seeks to nullify the agreement to be moved to a federal district court from a county court.

Brent Blakely, who filed the action on behalf of Essential Consultants LLC and Trump, did not reply to a request for comment.

Under the nondisclosure agreement, Daniels, whose legal name is Stephanie Clifford, could be subjected to a $1 million penalty each time the deal was broken.

Daniels has alleged that she had an affair with Trump that began in 2006 and lasted several months.

Michael Cohen, a private lawyer for Trump, has said he paid Daniels $130,000 of his own money during the 2016 presidential election campaign. Cohen has not explained why he made the payment and has not said if Trump was aware of it.

Attorney Michael Avenatti, who represents Daniels, said on Friday, “This is simply more of the same bullying tactics from the president and Mr. Cohen. They are now attempting to remove this case in order to increase their chances that the matter will ultimately be decided in private arbitration, behind closed doors, outside of public view and scrutiny.

“To put it simply – they want to hide the truth from the American people. We will oppose this effort at every turn.”

Avenatti has filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles claiming Trump never signed the nondisclosure agreement, rendering it null and void.

“The fact that a sitting president is pursuing over $20 million in bogus ‘damages’ against a private citizen, who is only trying to tell the public what really happened, is truly remarkable,” Avenatti said.

In a letter to Cohen on Monday, Daniels offered to return the $130,000 to an account designated by Trump so she could be released from the agreement, which she signed in October 2016. Cohen ignored the offer.

Earlier on Friday, Avenatti told MSNBC and CNN that Daniels had been physically threatened and warned to remain silent about her relationship with Trump.

Avenatti would not provide details about the threat. He said Clifford would elaborate on it during a CBS “60 Minutes” interview due to be broadcast on March 25.

He told Reuters on Friday that six women had been in touch with his law firm to describe relationships with Trump, and that two had signed nondisclosure agreements.

Reporting by Makini Brice Additional reporting by Justin Mitchell and Karen Freifeld; Editing by Toni Reinhold.

https://www.rawstory.com/2018/03/trump-lawyer-seeks-20-million-damages-stormy-daniels-court-filing/

Meh.
Just another attempt at intimidation.
Wait until Daniels has a wee chat with Mueller.

The DiC is rolling the dice here ~ anyone else notice how Michael Cohen, and Melania, have "disappeared"? ~ Sooz

Trump no longer keeping his distance from Daniels scandal
03/19/18 11:00 AM
By Steve Benen

In general, Donald Trump lashes out, almost instinctively, against all perceived foes. It doesn’t much matter who wrongs him – politicians, athletes, entertainers, foreign officials, et al – because the president will respond to practically any slight with an attack of his own.

Except, oddly enough, Stormy Daniels. To date, the president has said literally nothing – not even a brief tweet – about the adult-film actress who received $130,000 in hush money from his personal attorney. On this one issue, if no other, Trump has somehow managed to become the model of message discipline, maintaining total silence.

The president’s lawyers, however, appear to have plenty to say.


As Rachel noted on Friday’s show, Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, has already sued Trump in state court, hoping to get out of the non-disclosure agreement that prevents her from talking about her alleged “intimate” relationship. It’s president’s lawyer in this case, Charles Harder, who wants to move the case to federal court, likely as a way of getting the matter into private arbitration.

And who’s Charles Harder? He’s the lawyer who oversaw the case that put Gawker out of business.

As for the $20 million figure, the existing agreement between the porn star and the president’s legal team calls for $1 million in damages for every instance in which Daniels breaches the NDA – and according to Trump’s lawyers’ latest filing, Daniels has broken the deal at least 20 times.

All of this, by the way, represents Trump’s first direct involvement in the Daniels scandal. We’ve all suspected from the outset that the president and his alleged relationship was at the center of the story, but it’s now his name listed plainly in court filings. As the New York Times reported:


The question of whether or not Trump is a party to this case has apparently now been answered.

Meanwhile, Daniels’ “60 Minutes” interview is still scheduled to air this upcoming weekend. There was some talk last week about the president’s lawyers suing CBS, but as of now, that hasn’t occurred – and even if there was such a case, it’d be a long shot.

http://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/trump-no-longer-keeping-his-distance-daniels-scandal#break

Ok, just so I have this straight. Trump's lawyers/Trump are suing Daniels for violating a NDA about something they/he deny happened? Huh?

If I've gotta guess, they're hoping it gets settled out of court and, as part of the settlement, she agrees to keep quiet. If it goes to court it's a given that both Trump and Cohen are going to be deposed, under oath.