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
- READ MORE: Follow Trump trial LIVE
- READ MORE: Trump VP contender Kristi Noem shot her dog
Donald Trump's longtime assistant told his hush money trial she recalled seeing porn star Stormy Daniels in the lobby on the 26th floor 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 being a contestant on The Apprentice.
Graff also confirmed she had entered contact details in the Trump Organization system for Daniels and Karen McDougal.
Daniels and McDougal, a former Playboy model, have both claimed they had affairs with Trump, which he has denied.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up a $130,000 payment to buy the silence of Daniels.
Former U.S. 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 U.S. President Donald Trump's criminal trial on charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, in Manhattan state court in New York City, U.S. April 26, 2024, in this courtroom sketch
Executive assistant to Donald Trump 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'.
Graff told the court she 'loved' working for Trump because every day was different, which caused the former president to smile as he sat at the defendant's table.
She was testifying under a subpoena and had two lawyers in court for her which the Trump Organization was paying for.
Graff testified it was mostly her responsibility to maintain Trump’s calendar and maintain his contacts in the computer system.
Initially, she had a desk outside Trump’s office but later she had her own office next to his.
The jury were shown contacts in the Trump Organization system for McDougal including her address, email and phone number.
Another entry under ‘Stormy Daniels’ contained just her cell number.
Graff said she believed she created both contacts.
Rhona Graff testifies as former U.S. President Donald Trump looks on during Trump's criminal trial on charges that he falsified business records to conceal money paid to silence porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016, in Manhattan state court in New York City, U.S. April 26, 2024, in this courtroom sketch
Rhona Graff, executive assistant to Donald Trump attends Olympus Fashion Week Fall 2005 in the main tent at Bryant Park February 8, 2005 in New York City
Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger asked Graff if she ever saw Stormy Daniels waiting in the reception area of Trump Tower.
Graff said she had a ‘vague recollection’ of her in the reception area on the 26th floor.
Asked if this was before Trump ran for President in 2016, Graff said she had a ‘vague recollection’ that was the case.
Hoffinger asked ‘Did you know she was an adult film actress?’ and Graff replied ‘I did’.
During cross examination by Trump’s lawyer Susan Necheles, Graff said she had enjoyed working for Trump.
She said: ‘I never had the same day twice in all the time. 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 departs federal court in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S., April 16, 2018
Karen McDougal at the Playboy Golf Finals Party. Playboy Mansion, Los Angeles in 2007
Asked if he was a good boss, Graff said he was ‘fair and respectful to me’ and gave her promotions.
She said he would sometimes tell 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 the platform.
According to Graff, The Apprentice TV show ‘elevated' Trump to ‘rock star status’.
Necheles asked if, prior to seeing Daniels in Trump Tower, she had heard about Trump saying that she would be a ‘good contestant’ for the show.
Graff said that she ‘vaguely recall him saying’ that and it was ‘part of the office chatter’.
Necheles said that Trump wanted 'controversial' contestants and Graff responded: 'Some maybe more than others'.
As Graff left she had to walk past the defense table to get out of the courtroom.
Trump stood up and appeared to move to shake her hand.
