A former adviser to Donald Trump broke down in tears while testifying at his criminal trial.
Hope Hicks, who served as Mr. Trump’s campaign press secretary, was the final witness called to the stand in the second week of the historic hush money trial.
His testimony provided insight into how the Trump campaign unfolded as the Republican nominee vied for the White House.
She said the former president told her to deny having a sexual relationship with porn star Stormy Daniels in the final days of the 2016 election.
A month before the election, an Access Hollywood video surfaced showing Mr. Trump saying “you can do anything” as he talked about taking over women’s genitals.
Regarding the potential impact of the tape, Ms Hicks said: “I think he was really concerned about the perception of that… I don’t think he wanted anyone in his family to be hurt or embarrassed by what whatever happens during the campaign.
Mr Trump is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records over secret payments of $130,000 (£103,000) made to Stormy Daniels to cover up their alleged affair – he pleaded not guilty.
Ms. Hicks told jurors that she informed Mr. Trump four days before the election that the Wall Street Journal would publish details of the adult star’s story.
“He wanted to make sure there was a denial of any sort of relationship,” Ms. Hicks said, adding that Mr. Trump did not want his wife Melania to see the story that also included allegations that he had had an affair with former Playboy model Karen McDougal. .
Mr. Trump has denied the allegations.
Prosecutors say the payment to Daniels perverted the election because the news could have swung voters toward either Mr. Trump or Democratic opponent Hillary Clinton.
However, Ms. Hicks’ testimony could help the defense argue that Mr. Trump paid Daniels to keep his wife, not voters, from hearing the adult film star’s allegations.
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Before cross-examining Ms. Hicks, prosecutors asked her to describe a conversation that Mr. Trump had with Michael Cohen, his former personal lawyer, during which Mr. Cohen revealed that he had paid the sum to Daniels rather than the Republican candidate.
She said Mr. Trump told her the lawyer paid the bill to “protect him from a false allegation” out of “the goodness of his own heart.”
But she recognized that this act of Mr. Cohen would have been “out of character” for him to add: “I didn’t know Michael was a particularly charitable or altruistic person.”
At this point, Ms. Hicks broke down in tears on the stand and a brief recess was requested, as Mr. Trump sat, seemingly expressionless, in the New York courtroom.
Earlier in the week, Mr Trump was fined $9,000 (£7,170) and found in contempt of court for breaching a hush order – which prevents him from making public comments about jurors, witnesses and other members involved if the statements are intended to intervene. in the case.
Sky news