Assistant District Attorney Matthew Colangelo has highlighted the significant impact of the Washington Post's October 2016 report on the 'Access Hollywood' tape, stating that it 'turned the rest of the presidential campaign entirely upside down.'
Colangelo has linked the introduction of the Stormy Daniels' story to the Post's report, suggesting that prosecutors viewed the campaign's response to the tape as a key factor in their concerns regarding Daniels' allegation.
The 'Access Hollywood' tape, which captured then-candidate Donald Trump making lewd comments about women, caused a major upheaval in the 2016 presidential race. The release of the tape led to widespread condemnation and scrutiny of Trump's behavior, with many questioning his fitness for office.
According to Colangelo, the fallout from the tape played a pivotal role in shaping the narrative of the campaign and influencing public perception of the candidates. The controversy surrounding the tape forced Trump to address the issue publicly and defend his remarks, further fueling the media frenzy surrounding the election.
Prosecutors have argued that the reaction to the 'Access Hollywood' tape underscored the importance of investigating allegations such as those made by Stormy Daniels. Daniels, an adult film actress, claimed to have had an affair with Trump in 2006 and alleged that she was paid hush money to keep quiet about the relationship.
Colangelo's remarks suggest that the handling of the 'Access Hollywood' tape by the Trump campaign raised red flags for investigators, prompting them to delve deeper into the allegations brought forth by Daniels. The interconnectedness of these events underscores the complex and multifaceted nature of political scandals and their implications for legal proceedings.