Hope Hicks, a former top aide to Donald Trump, testified on Friday that the then-presidential candidate instructed her to deny his alleged sexual relationship with porn star Stormy Daniels in the final days of the 2016 election. Hicks' testimony provided jurors with an inside look at the Trump campaign's damage control efforts as the candidate faced multiple accusations of unflattering sexual behavior in the waning weeks of his successful White House bid.
Trump has pleaded not guilty to charges of falsifying business records to cover up a $130,000 payment made to Daniels, who was threatening to go public with her story of their 2006 sexual encounter. Prosecutors argue that the payment corrupted the election by suppressing news that could have influenced voters as they decided between Trump and his Democratic rival, Hillary Clinton.
During her testimony, Hicks, who served as the campaign's press secretary, recalled informing Trump four days before the November 8, 2016 election that the Wall Street Journal would publish details of Daniels' story. "He wanted to make sure that there was a denial of any kind of relationship," Hicks said, adding that Trump was concerned about how the story, which also included allegations of an affair with former Playboy model Karen McDougal, would be viewed by his wife, Melania.
"He was concerned about how it would be viewed by his wife, and he wanted me to make sure the newspapers weren't delivered to the residence that morning," Hicks testified. Trump has denied having sex with either woman.
Hicks' testimony could potentially bolster the defense's argument that Trump paid off Daniels to keep his wife, rather than voters, from hearing the adult film star's allegations. She recounted Trump telling her that his personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, paid off Daniels to "protect him from a false allegation" out of the "kindness of his own heart." However, Hicks expressed skepticism about Cohen's motives, stating, "I didn't know Michael to be an especially charitable person or selfless person."
During cross-examination by defense attorney Emil Bove, Hicks emphasized Trump's concern for his family's well-being. "I don't think he wanted anyone in his family to be hurt or embarrassed about anything on the campaign. He wanted them to be proud of him," she said.
Hicks also testified about the campaign's reaction to the release of the "Access Hollywood" tape, in which Trump bragged about grabbing women's genitals. She said Trump was upset but played down the comments, characterizing them as "just like two guys talking, locker-room talk."
The former aide's testimony marked the first appearance of a Trump campaign employee as a witness in the 11-day-old trial. The 12 jurors and six alternates have yet to hear from key players in the case, including Daniels and Cohen.
Earlier in the day, Justice Juan Merchan told Trump that a gag order barring him from commenting about witnesses and jurors would not prevent him from testifying, as the former president had suggested to reporters on Thursday. Merchan stressed that Trump has an "absolute right" to testify at trial. The judge has fined Trump $9,000 for violating the gag order and has warned that further violations could result in additional fines or even jail time.
Trump has characterized the case as an attempt by Democrats to undermine his chances of defeating President Joe Biden in the upcoming November 5 presidential election. While the case involves sordid allegations of adultery and secret payoffs, it is widely considered less consequential than the other three criminal prosecutions Trump faces, though a guilty verdict could still harm his presidential bid, according to Reuters/Ipsos polling.
