On Friday, former Trump aide Hope Hicks provided jurors with an insider’s account of the campaign’s scramble to contain the Stormy Daniels scandal in the final days of the 2016 election.
Hicks, who served as Trump’s campaign press secretary, revealed that the then-candidate directly instructed her to deny his alleged sexual relationship with the adult film star just four days before voters went to the polls.
“He wanted to make sure that there was a denial of any kind of relationship,” Hicks told prosecutors, describing Trump’s reaction when informed that the Wall Street Journal was set to publish details of the Daniels story.
Her testimony offered a behind-the-scenes look at the damage control efforts within Trump’s inner circle as he confronted multiple allegations of sexual impropriety that threatened to derail his presidential bid.
Prosecutors argue the $130,000 hush money payment to Daniels, arranged by former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen, was an illegal attempt to influence the election by burying potential bombshell news. Trump faces felony charges for falsifying business records to cover up that payment.
While the former president has continued to plead not guilty, Hope Hicks’ firsthand account directly implicates him in a coverup scheme. Her testimony as a former campaign insider could prove pivotal for prosecutors seeking to overcome the defense’s claim that the payment was merely intended to spare Trump’s family embarrassment.
The trial has already offered a glimpse into the chaotic internal response to the “Access Hollywood” tape, in which Trump bragged about groping women.
Hope Hicks recalled Trump dismissing his lewd comments as “locker room talk,” even as the campaign reeled.
As of the time of writing, key witnesses like Daniels and Cohen are still to take the stand.
