New York, NY – Hope Hicks, the former communications director for Donald Trump, appeared nervous and tearful as she took the stand in his criminal trial. Over the course of her testimony, Hicks detailed how Trump and his inner circle responded to news reports in 2016 and 2018 regarding allegations of extramarital encounters and efforts to suppress them. Hicks, who served as Trump’s top press aide during his 2016 campaign and later as White House communications director, testified about her involvement in handling revelations about “hush money” payments made to two women before the election.
During the trial, Hicks revealed that she was initially unaware of the deals in 2016 to pay two women, Karen McDougal and Stormy Daniels, for their silence regarding alleged sexual encounters with Trump. She stated that she first learned about the payments on Nov. 4, 2016, when a Wall Street Journal reporter approached her with questions about McDougal. Hicks also recounted being present for the release of the infamous “Access Hollywood” tape in 2016, where Trump made derogatory comments about women, causing a significant backlash for the campaign.
Furthermore, Hicks discussed her interactions with key players in the Trump Organization, such as Keith Schiller, Rhona Graff, and Allen Weisselberg. She recalled how Trump’s political aspirations became evident in early 2015 during a trip to Iowa. She described a moment when Trump jokingly suggested she would become the campaign press secretary, a role that eventually led her to work closely with him on a daily basis.
Hicks also detailed her encounters with David Pecker, CEO of American Media, Inc., and his connections to Trump. She testified about Pecker’s involvement in “catch and kill” stories to protect Trump’s image, as well as Trump’s close relationship with members of the media during the campaign. Additionally, Hicks shared her experiences during the tumultuous period following the release of the “Access Hollywood” tape, where Trump faced backlash and negative press coverage.
As the trial delved into the payments made to Karen McDougal and Stormy Daniels, Hicks provided insights into her conversations with Trump and his attorney, Michael Cohen. She described Trump’s reactions to the allegations and his motivation to prevent damaging stories from surfacing before the election. Hicks also recounted her interactions with Cohen and Pecker, where they discussed crafting responses and denials to the media inquiries surrounding the payments.
Hicks’ emotional testimony shed light on the inner workings of the Trump campaign and administration, revealing the challenges faced in handling controversies and scandals. Her account offered a glimpse into the complexities of managing a high-profile political figure’s public image and navigating the legal and ethical dilemmas that arose during Trump’s time in office. The trial continues as more witnesses are called to testify about the events surrounding Trump’s alleged misconduct and attempts to suppress damaging information.