Hope Hicks ex-Trump adviser recounts political firestorm 2016 Access Hollywood tape

Former Trump adviser Hope Hicks testified in hush money trial about infamous "Access Hollywood" tape and scheme to silence women.

Hope Hicks, a former advisor to Donald Trump, provided testimony on Friday at the hush money trial involving the former president. She recounted how Trump's 2016 campaign was embroiled in controversy over a recording in which he boasted about inappropriate behavior towards women without their consent.

Hicks, who previously served as White House communications director, is the first close adviser to Trump to testify in the case. The trial accuses Trump of attempting to illegally influence the 2016 election by silencing women who alleged sexual encounters with him.

Prosecutors argue that the release of the "Access Hollywood" tape, just before a debate, disrupted Trump's campaign and led to his lawyer Michael Cohen arranging a hush money payment to Stormy Daniels. Hicks expressed her concerns after learning about the tape, predicting it would dominate the news cycle and damage Trump's image.

Despite denying the extramarital allegations, Trump faces accusations of wrongdoing in the case. Hicks, testifying under subpoena, admitted feeling nervous but spoke highly of Trump's work ethic and multitasking abilities.

While no longer part of Trump's inner circle, Hicks praised the former president during her testimony. The trial also involves Michael Cohen, who is yet to take the stand but has provided crucial evidence linking Trump to payments made to silence women before the election.

Prosecutors have presented detailed testimony to support their case against Trump, alleging he engaged in a scheme to influence the election illegally. Trump's defense aims to discredit prosecution witnesses and argue that his actions were to protect his reputation and family, not his campaign.

A recording played during the trial captured Cohen discussing a plan to purchase the rights to a story from a former Playboy model who claimed an affair with Trump. The tabloid National Enquirer had previously bought and buried the story on Trump's behalf.

The trial also included testimony from Keith Davidson, a lawyer who represented the women involved in the hush money negotiations. Davidson expressed shock that his actions may have contributed to Trump's election victory.

Trump faces multiple charges of falsifying internal business records related to the hush money payments. Prosecutors allege that the payments were disguised as legal expenses in Trump Organization records, but were actually reimbursements to Cohen.

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