Prosecutors in Donald Trump's hush money trial are delving further into his inner circle, with former White House official Hope Hicks taking the witness stand. Hicks provided insight into a crucial period during the 2016 campaign when a damaging recording of Trump surfaced, causing chaos within the campaign.
The recording, known as the 'Access Hollywood' tape, captured Trump making controversial remarks about women. In response, Trump and his allies worked to prevent the release of other potentially embarrassing stories, including making hush money payments to a porn actor and a Playboy model who claimed to have had encounters with Trump before his political career.
Hicks testified that she anticipated the recording would dominate the news cycle and acknowledged its damaging impact on the campaign. The trial, now in its third week, is leading up to the testimony of Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer, who is expected to face intense questioning from defense attorneys.
Trump is facing 34 felony counts related to falsifying business records in connection with the hush money payments. Prosecutors allege that Trump's company, the Trump Organization, reimbursed Cohen for the payments and falsely recorded them as legal expenses.
Despite the charges, Trump has pleaded not guilty and denied any sexual encounters with the women involved, as well as any wrongdoing. The trial has heard from witnesses including a tabloid publisher and a lawyer who negotiated hush money deals on behalf of the women.
Trump's defense team has raised questions about the prosecution's theory, suggesting that Trump may have been a victim of extortion rather than a willing participant in the payments. Prosecutors argue that the payments were made to protect Trump's political ambitions as he ran for president.
This trial is one of four legal cases involving Trump, with others related to the 2020 election and the handling of classified documents. It is expected to be the only case to go to trial before the November election.
