Trump’s longtime assistant and ‘right hand’ Rhona Graff testifies she had ‘vague’ memory of Stormy Daniels at Trump Tower in evidence praising The Apprentice and her 34 years working for the former president
Donald Trump’s longtime aide told his hush money trial that she remembered seeing porn star Stormy Daniels in the 26th floor lobby of Trump Tower before the 2016 election.
Rhona Graff, 64, who worked for Trump for 34 years until 2021, said she assumed Daniels was there to discuss joining The Apprentice.
Graff also confirmed that she entered Daniels and Karen McDougal’s contact information into the Trump Organization system.
Daniels and McDougal, a former Playboy model, have both claimed they had an affair with Trump, which he denies.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying company records to cover up a $130,000 payment to buy Daniels’ silence.
Former US President Donald Trump returns to the courtroom after a short break during his hush money trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on April 26, 2024 in New York Cit
Rhona Graff testifies during former US President Donald Trump’s criminal trial on charges that he falsified business records to hide money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, in Manhattan State Court in New York City, USA, April 26, 2024, in this courtroom sketch
Donald Trump’s Executive Assistant Rhona Graff poses for photos in the lobby of the main tent during Olympus Fashion Week Fall 2005 at Bryant Park, February 10, 2005 in New York City
During her decades as his executive assistant, Graff was nicknamed Trump’s “right-hand woman.”
Graff told the court she “loved” working for Trump because every day was different, which made the former president smile as he sat at the defendant’s table.
She testified under a subpoena and had two lawyers for her in court, which the Trump Organization paid for.
Graff testified that her primary responsibility was to keep track of Trump’s agenda and maintain his contacts in the computer system.
Initially she had a desk outside Trump’s office, but later had her own office next to his.
The jury was shown the contacts in the Trump Organization system for McDougal, including her address, email address and phone number.
Another entry under “Stormy Daniels” contained only her cell phone number.
Graff said she believed she made both contacts.
Rhona Graff testifies as former US President Donald Trump watches during Trump’s criminal trial on charges that he falsified business records to hide money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, in Manhattan District Court in New York City, USA, April 26, 2024. in this courtroom sketch
Rhona Graff, executive assistant to Donald Trump, attends Olympus Fashion Week Fall 2005 at the main tent in Bryant Park on February 8, 2005 in New York City
Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger asked Graff if she had ever seen Stormy Daniels waiting in the reception area of Trump Tower.
Graff said she had a “vague memory” of her in the 26th floor reception.
When asked if this was before Trump ran for president in 2016, Graff said she had “vague memories” of this being the case.
Hoffinger asked, “Did you know she was an adult film actress?” and Graff replied, “I did.”
Under cross-examination by Trump’s lawyer Susan Necheles, Graff said she enjoyed working for Trump.
She said: ‘I’ve never had the same day twice. Very stimulating, exciting, fascinating place to be’.
Stormy Daniels with Donald Trump in 2006, at the time of the alleged affair
Adult film actress Stephanie Clifford, also known as Stormy Daniels, speaks as she leaves the federal courthouse in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, USA, April 16, 2018
Karen McDougal at the Playboy Golf Finals Party. Playboy Mansion, Los Angeles in 2007
When asked if he was a good boss, Graff said he was “fair and respectful to me” and gave her promotions.
She said he sometimes told her, “Go home to your family,” which she thought was “very thoughtful.”
Graff described how Trump invited her to his inauguration and gave her and her husband a seat on stage.
According to Graff, the TV show The Apprentice has “elevated” Trump to “rock star status.”
Necheles asked if, before seeing Daniels in Trump Tower, she had heard Trump say she would be a “good contestant” for the show.
Graff said she “vaguely remembered him saying that” and that it was “part of the office banter.”
Necheles said Trump wanted “controversial” participants and Graff responded, “Some maybe more than others.”
When Graff left, she had to walk past the defense table to leave the courtroom.
Trump stood up and appeared to move to shake her hand.