Trump attorney may be limited in defense after texts with Stormy Daniels handed over to district attorney: Report

Text messages between Donald Trump’s former attorney and adult film star Stormy Daniels have been handed over to the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, which might cause complications for the former president’s defense ahead of a looming indictment, according to reports.

The Manhattan district attorney obtained the text messages dated back to 2018 when Daniels was looking for legal representation after her first lawsuit against Trump for allegedly paying her to keep quiet about their sexual affairs. Those communications were exchanged with Joe Tacopina who is currently representing Trump in the same case.

The text messages could be seen as confidential, and Tacopina might be limited in his defense of Trump making the case even more complicated in case of a trial as per New York law.

If Daniels had disclosed any confidential information to Tacopina, then he would be bound not to cross-examine her on the witness stand, and he could not use any information that she has shared with him against her as a witness. Tacopina denies any conflict of interest regarding the matter.

At this time, it is unclear what charges Trump might face in the hush money case, but reports of the indictment are emerging after former Trump attorney Michael Cohen testified before the Manhattan grand jury multiple times earlier this month.

Former President Trump was not charged during his time in the office, but prosecutors reopened the discussions for the charges before Trump left the office in 2021. Trump’s statement on his Truth Social account over the weekend has drawn increased attention to the case, and GOP lawmakers have denounced the possible arrest, calling it an attack ahead of a crucial election cycle.