Former White House aide Hope Hicks testified in former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial, following the prosecution’s first witness, National Enquirer former publisher David Pecker, who described her as a liaison between him and Trump in quashing affair allegations. Hicks, a former confidant to Trump, served as his press secretary during his 2016 campaign and had two stints as his communications director during his presidency. Peeker testified that Hicks was present in a 2015 meeting with Trump, where Pecker promised to be the “eyes and ears” for Trump’s campaign. Pecker also revealed that in 2018, Trump arranged for him to speak with Hicks and former White House press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders regarding hush money payments.
Federal prosecutors alleged that Hicks was on a phone call with Trump and Michael Cohen on the day Trump was informed of an affair story involving adult film star Stormy Daniels. Hicks previously denied any knowledge of the Daniels deal during her 2019 testimony before Congress. Hogan Gidley, a friend of Hicks’, stated that Hicks has not spoken to Trump since late 2022, and their relationship was strained after Hicks testified in Congress’s Jan. 6 investigation. Hicks criticized Trump in text messages on Jan. 6, expressing disappointment over his actions that led to a breach at the U.S. Capitol.
There is uncertainty about whether Trump will take the stand in the case. Trump had previously stated he planned to do so. Hicks played a critical role in Trump’s administration, especially during challenging times, such as the Mueller probe. She resigned shortly after her 2018 testimony before Congress but returned briefly in 2020. Trump had praised Hicks for her work and described her as smart and thoughtful. Prosecutors charged Trump with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records related to hush money payments, alleging he labeled reimbursements to Cohen as legal expenses. Trump has pleaded not guilty to the charges and denied any wrongdoing.
Pecker’s testimony implicated Trump in the hush money payments, describing multiple conversations he had with Trump about the deals. During a meeting at Trump Tower, shortly after Trump’s election, Pecker claimed that Trump joked that he probably knew more than anyone in the room and thanked him for making the hush money deals. Pecker’s testimony has been seen as crucial in illustrating the extent of Trump’s involvement in the scheme. The trial highlights the links between key figures in Trump’s inner circle and their roles in managing crises during his presidency. The outcome of the trial could have significant implications for Trump’s reputation and legal standing.
