Just as ABC laid out the red carpet for James Comey on Sunday night, ABC’s The View laid out the red carpet for porn star Stormy Daniels on Tuesday, the only “live” interview...even if it mostly sounded like a warmed-over rehash of her 60 Minutes interview. Daniels and her lawyer Michael Avenatti were awarded almost 27 minutes of air time. The big difference was Meghan McCain, who suggested – “no disrespect” – Daniels is offering a “publicity stunt,” making a lot of money on this Trump-bashing campaign:
MEGHAN McCAIN: It seems like a publicity stunt on some level. I mean, I think yesterday — because you didn’t have anything to do with the case — it seemed a little like you were just trying to get attention, which, I understand that you’re being sued by our president, but it does seem like you’re benefitting a lot.
I mean, you’ve gone on your Make America Horny Again tour. I’m sure you’re making a lot of money — no disrespect. I hadn’t heard your name until all of this had happened and now you’re literally live on The View giving an entire interview with us. So it has been beneficial for your career.
Avenatti strenuously objected that her appearance at the courthouse in New York was a stunt, since some of the documents seized from Trump lawyer Michael Cohen’s office were relevant to her case. But Cohen himself wasn’t there, and she was standing there in front of a bank of cameras, as ABC displayed. So no one can claim she wasn’t there seeking publicity. Daniels then answered McCain:
STORMY DANIELS: Can I just say first of all, I did not name the tour. You won’t hear me say it. I haven’t promoted that name, I think it’s awful.
McCAIN: You think it’s awful?
DANIELS: I think it’s cheesy and a play on someone else’s idea and I try not to do that. A strip club owner in the Carolinas came up with it and everyone else has latched onto it. As far as the tour, yes, I’ve gotten more bookings than usual but I’m doing the job that I’ve been doing for the last, almost 20 years. Yes, there’s a lot of publicity but I didn’t do it for that because this isn’t what I want to be known for.
Daniels said “yes, I’m making more money, but I’m spending so much more,” like on bodyguards and a tutor for her daughter. Behar jumped in to say “You shouldn’t have to apologize for making a living,” and Daniels responded “I’m not.”
McCain replied “You're not the first adult star I've ever interviewed. I have respect for any woman who does well in any industry. It's -- whatever. I think my issue is if you don't like the Make America Horny Again banner, can you ask them to remove it?” Daniels replied “I have, so many times."
Later in the show, co-host Sara Haines asked a more sympathetic question:
SARA HAINES: Stormy, do you think it's fair that some people are questioning your credibility in this situation because you are a porn star?
DANIELS: Absolutely not. I think that what I do for a living should not matter. What I do for a job doesn't impact my ability to know right from wrong or to tell the truth. [ Applause ]
McCAIN: And I agree with that by the way, 100 percent. This question is one that I really wanted to ask you because I'm curious. You clearly are a family woman. You're talking about your daughter and your husband. Have you thought about the implications of all this on the Trump family?
Daniels said yes, she's thought a lot about it. McCain simply spoke as a member of a political family. "I would probably have to be on medication. I mean, I just can't imagine. I understand he [Trump] did it....he's completely in the wrong as well."
