Hope Hicks, a former close aide to Donald Trump, offered revealing testimony on Friday, recounting how Trump instructed her to deny any sexual relationship with porn star Stormy Daniels during the final days of the 2016 presidential election campaign.
Hicks' testimony shed light on the campaign's efforts to mitigate the fallout from multiple allegations of inappropriate sexual conduct against Trump as the election drew to a close.
Trump, who has pleaded not guilty to charges related to covering up a payment made to Daniels to suppress her allegations, allegedly sought to ensure that his purported affair with Daniels did not become public knowledge before the election.
According to Hicks, Trump was particularly concerned about how the news would affect his wife, Melania, and instructed Hicks to prevent newspapers from being delivered to their residence on the day the story was set to break.
Prosecutors argue that the payment to Daniels constituted a violation of election and tax laws, potentially influencing voters' decisions.
Hicks' testimony, while offering insights into Trump's motivations, also suggested that Trump's concern was primarily about protecting his family rather than swaying voters.
Trump's defense contends that the payment to Daniels was made to shield his family from embarrassment rather than to influence the election.
During her testimony, Hicks became emotional at times, offering a glimpse into the high stakes of the trial.
Trump, who sat silently during Hicks' testimony, faces potential fines and even jail time if found guilty of violating the gag order prohibiting him from commenting on the trial.
Despite the sensational nature of the trial, its outcome may have limited impact on Trump's political future, as it is seen as less significant than other legal challenges he faces, including charges related to his efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.
However, a guilty verdict could still tarnish Trump's image and affect his bid for the presidency, according to polling data.
