Hope Hicks, who served as a close adviser to former United States President Donald Trump during his presidential campaign, testified in the Manhattan trial concerning payments intended to silence news of Trump’s alleged extramarital affairs. This news has drawn attention back to the controversial events of the 2016 election, and in particular, the fallout from the highly-publicized and widely-discussed “Access Hollywood” tape.
Taking the witness stand on Friday, Hicks provided her perspective on the immediate aftermath of the “Access Hollywood” tape’s release. The recording, in which Trump was heard making demeaning remarks about women, caused significant upheaval in his campaign and sparked a wave of public outrage. Word of Trump’s alleged extramarital affairs, which began to circulate around the same time, added more fuel to the chaos.
Hicks’ role in these events, and her insider view of Trump’s campaign, adds another layer to the ongoing investigation into these hush money payments. The full implications of Hicks’ testimony, as well as the unfolding consequences for Trump, remain to be seen as the trial progresses. For more detailed reporting on Hicks’ testimony and the ongoing trial, legal professionals may wish to review the full report in Law360.