NEW YORK — Hope Hicks, the former top aide to Donald Trump, became visibly emotional and teary-eyed at the start of her cross-examination by Trump's attorney Emil Bove. Following this, Judge Juan Merchan excused her for a brief break, after which she returned to continue her testimony. Hicks, called by the prosecution in Trump's New York hush money trial, was in close contact with Trump's lawyer Michael Cohen in 2016 after the emergence of the "Access Hollywood" tape.
The trial involves Trump facing 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels. Hicks testified that Trump was "concerned" about a Wall Street Journal story on a separate hush money deal involving former Playboy model Karen McDougal and how it would be viewed by his wife, Melania Trump.
Trump, who earlier in the week was fined $9,000 for repeatedly violating a gag order, refrained from commenting on the proceedings, citing the gag order issued by Judge Juan Merchan, which prohibits him from attacking witnesses. However, he claimed that political opponents have targeted him and those around him. Throughout the day, Trump or his aides posted statements on social media criticizing the trial. Judge Merchan has adjourned the day's proceedings, which are set to resume on Monday.
During her testimony, Hicks confirmed that Michael Cohen sometimes did things that were "frustrating" to the Trump 2016 campaign staff and that he "went rogue" at times. She also testified about her role in the campaign and her relationship with Trump, highlighting her position as the campaign's press secretary and later as communications director in the White House.
Hicks' testimony could be significant in showing that Trump was attempting to hide campaign finance violations through the hush money payment to Daniels, a key aspect of the prosecution's case. Her testimony also sheds light on Trump's reactions to controversies during the campaign, including the release of the Access Hollywood tape, where Trump was recorded making lewd comments about women.