Former Trump Adviser Hope Hicks to Testify in Hush Money Trial
Washington (CNN) — Hope Hicks, a former trusted adviser in Donald Trump’s inner circle, is set to testify this Friday in the hush money trial in New York after being subpoenaed. Hicks, who previously served as Trump’s press secretary during the campaign, could provide crucial insights into the political operations in the final weeks before the 2016 election.
The trial revolves around allegations that Trump paid adult film star Stormy Daniels $130,000 to keep quiet about an alleged affair, with Trump allegedly repaying his former lawyer Michael Cohen after taking office. Trump has denied the affair and pleaded innocent to charges of falsifying business records.
Hicks, known for her loyalty to Trump, has a long shared history with him, working at the Trump Organization and later joining his 2016 campaign. She became communications director for the White House during Trump’s presidency and was known for defending him amid criticism.
Hicks previously testified before the House Intelligence Committee about Russian interference in the 2016 election and admitted to occasionally telling white lies on Trump’s behalf. She left the White House to work at Fox News after facing scrutiny over her relationship with a former staffer accused of domestic abuse.
In recent months, Hicks has faced questions about her involvement in the payment to Daniels. Prosecutors allege that Cohen made the payment at Trump’s direction to influence the election, and that Trump later plotted to reimburse him through false invoices. Trump has maintained that he was not aware of any payments to Daniels.
Hicks’ upcoming testimony in the trial is expected to shed light on the inner workings of the Trump campaign and administration, as well as her interactions with Cohen regarding the hush money payment. Stay tuned as this story continues to develop.