The testimony of Hope Hicks, former White House communications director, in Donald Trump’s hush money trial has raised questions about Trump’s defense strategy, particularly his claim that he was trying to conceal a scandal from his wife, Melania, rather than from the voting public.
Hicks’ testimony on Friday, during which she became emotional and even broke down, was significant because it revealed her involvement in discussions surrounding adult film star Stormy Daniels’ claims against Trump. Daniels alleged that she and Trump had an affair, leading to hush money payments just weeks before the 2016 general election. Trump denies the affair but claims he was attempting to keep these allegations from his wife, not from voters.
Janos Marton, a New York attorney, told Newsweek that Hicks’ involvement in the discussion about Daniels complicates Trump’s defense. “For the jury, the optics of the campaign press secretary being involved at all makes it harder to claim the payoff was related to some personal matter,” Marton explained.
Marton also pointed out that the Manhattan District Attorney’s office could use Hicks’ testimony as evidence that the hush money payment was made to prevent a political scandal in the days leading up to the election. This is backed by the use of emails and texts as evidence, suggesting a broader scheme to cover up the alleged affair.
However, Marton noted that Hicks’ knowledge of the details surrounding the hush money payments is limited, and she is considered a “non-cooperating” witness, meaning she is not facing any criminal charges and is under no obligation to reveal every detail.
While Hicks’ testimony does not necessarily link Trump to criminal activity directly, her role as a senior advisor in the Trump Organization and the White House lends credibility to her statements. Stephen Gillers, a New York University law professor, told Newsweek that Hicks’ position and loyalty to Trump give her testimony weight. “There is good reason for the jury to trust her testimony because she is seen as a Trump loyalist,” he said. Despite her loyalty, she was not willing to “take a bullet” for Trump, distinguishing her from some other Trump aides.
