Porn star Stormy Daniels on Tuesday said she was "proud" of President Donald Trump's former lawyer and fixer Michael Cohen, thanking him for his courage in "finally beginning to tell the truth about what you did."

Daniels' statement came as Cohen testified to a congressional committee about hush money paid to her and Playboy model Karen McDougal to keep quiet about alleged affairs with Trump, among other issues.

"In his testimony today, Michael Cohen described serious crimes and we should stay focused on those. But I do want to make a brief statement to Mr. Cohen directly," Daniels said.

"Michael, I'm proud of you for finally beginning to tell the truth about what you did, and trying to repair some of the harm you have caused. I can hear the pain and regret you feel for betraying your family and your country. My heart goes out to you and your family."

Daniels also said: "You spoke about how the president and his attorney put you and your family in danger by calling you a liar and a rat and disparaging you in public."

"I understand your fear, Michael. I have a family too. Do you believe now that when you and the president called me a liar, when you were his attorney and you insulted me, threatened to bankrupt me and worse, that you put me and my family in danger? I remember the fear you feel. I still feel it," Daniels said. "Thank you for having the courage, at long last, to begin to tell the truth. I hope that someday soon your family and mine can both leave this nightmare behind."