Hope Hicks is expected to be called to testify at Donald Trump’s criminal trial related to hush money payments. Hicks, once one of Trump’s closest confidantes, is one of several witnesses from his orbit who are expected to take the stand. The trial is scheduled to begin later this month, and others from Trump’s inner circle around the 2016 election, including those who worked on his presidential campaign, will likely be on the prosecution’s witness list.
Hicks, who was Trump’s press secretary during the campaign, appeared before the grand jury last year, as did Kellyanne Conway. She could shed light on what was happening inside the political operation in the final weeks before the 2016 election when Cohen was paying off Stormy Daniels. Trump reimbursed Cohen after he took office but has denied the affair. The federal search warrants released in 2019 showed a mad scramble inside the Trump campaign to suppress additional allegations of a sexual nature after the “Access Hollywood” tape was released in 2016.
In the documents, it was revealed that there were at least 10 telephone calls involving Cohen, Trump, Hicks, and American Media Inc. executives on the day of the “Access Hollywood” tape release. FBI officials believed these conversations were about Daniels. Hicks, when she testified before the House Judiciary Committee, answered “no” when asked about her presence during Trump and Cohen discussing Stormy Daniels. She claimed to have no knowledge of Daniels other than what she learned from reporters.
The judge overseeing the trial expanded a gag order to include family members of the court and the Manhattan district attorney after Trump made comments against the judge’s daughter. Judge Juan Merchan expressed concerns that such attacks could interfere with the fair administration of justice and constitute a direct attack on the Rule of Law. Confirmation that Hicks is expected to be on the witness list adds to the ongoing drama surrounding Trump’s criminal trial.
Overall, Hicks’ testimony could provide crucial insight into the events leading up to Trump’s payment to Stormy Daniels and the efforts within the Trump campaign to suppress damaging information. As the trial approaches, the drama surrounding the case continues to intensify, with the judge taking steps to ensure a fair and impartial trial despite the ongoing attacks from the former president.
