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Stormy Daniels, the adult movie star who claims to have had an affair with President Trump, talks with a reporter during an interview given Thursday at the erotic fair of Venus in Berlin. (Ralf Hirschberger / AFP / Getty Images)
Elise Viebeck
Business and Research Journalist focused on politics
A federal judge on Monday dismissed a lawsuit by adult movie star Stormy Daniels that President Trump had defamed him when he had suggested that she had lied about the fact that she had been threatened to remain silent about their alleged relationship.
Federal District Judge S. James Otero in Los Angeles had indicated at a hearing in late September that he was skeptical about Daniels' claim based on the motive of the First Amendment. The decision ordered Daniels, whose first name is Stephanie Clifford, to pay Trump's attorney's fees.
Trump's lawyer, Charles Harder, applauded Otero's decision and said the amount of legal fees would be determined later.
"Stormy Daniels or his lawyer, Mr. Avenatti, can not in any way describe today's decision other than by a total victory of President Trump and a total defeat of Stormy Daniels," Harder said in a statement.
This decision is a blow to Daniels and his lawyer, Michael Avenatti, who has been able to highlight his national profile in his legal battles against the president and is considering a candidacy for the presidency in 2020.
Avenatti called the decision "limited" on Twitter and said it did not affect Daniels' main case against Trump and his former lawyer Michael Cohen, who is seeking to invalidate his 2016 non-disclosure agreement.
"Daniels' other actions against Trump and Cohen have no impact," said Avenatti.
"Trump's assertions to the contrary are as misleading as his assertions about presence at the inauguration. We will appeal the dismissal of the cause of action in defamation and are confident in overthrowing our opposition, "he tweeted.
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