Trump suffered greatly as Hope Hicks' testimony unfolded.
In the crowded courtroom where people gather to watch the proceedings, there were audible gasps as the tension got high. Even Hicks, who was Trump's press secretary during the 2016 presidential campaign in question, seemed a bit shaken by it all. Given her experience as a seasoned communications professional, this wasn't surprising - after all, appearing on behalf of the prosecution to testify against "the boss" with a criminal conviction at stake can be nerve-wracking.
Over the years, I've likely spent more time than most others discussing the events happening in this trial with Hicks. You see, I was one of those closest to the Trump camp, providing legal counsel during the first impeachment process. And during her testimony on Friday, it became apparent that she's a true Trump supporter who, despite this, managed to directly implicate him in the alleged wrongdoings.
For prosecutors, Hicks is invaluable because of her significance in the case. In fact, I've probably spent as much time as anyone else in the courtroom talking to her about these very events. Her testimony was incredibly compelling, with the prosecution swiftly zeroing in on the crux of the matter.
Hicks described how the release of the infamous "Access Hollywood" tape had a disastrous effect on Trump's campaign and laid the groundwork for the hush money payments to Stormy Daniels. Presidential candidate Trump is facing 34 charges of falsifying business records surrounding these payments. He's pleaded not guilty and denies having had an affair with Daniels.
The details of the tape's release made a deep impression: It made such headlines that a category 4 hurricane that was about to hit the East Coast was overshadowed by the news. Seemingly aware of the gravity of this, special counsel Matthew Colangelo homed in on the anecdote during his questioning. Hicks' implication? This hurricane was a category 5 or higher - it was a formidable force that the Trump campaign simply couldn't afford to let continue if they wanted to win.
The trial took a shocking turn at the end of Hicks' direct testimony when she revealed three critical pieces of information: While in office, Trump had acknowledged to her that Cohen had paid Daniels, Trump had tried to shift the blame onto Cohen, and Hicks didn't believe him. The emotional stress must have been overwhelming for Hicks, causing her to break down in tears as she testified against her former boss.
When I interviewed Hicks for the impeachment hearings, I was struck by how articulate and convincing she was. It was the same during her testimony on Friday. In fact, the jury was so engrossed in her words that many of them completely abandoned their notepads to focus their full attention on her.
The only individual who remained detached from the gripping testimony was the one with the most at stake: the defendant. Trump appeared to be dozing off several times, even during Hicks' narrative about how she first learned of the Daniels story. Perhaps her words affected him, whether he was awake or asleep - because for the former president, Hicks' testimony was a nightmare.
Before you go, sign up for our free weekly newsletter here and become a part of our #100DaysOfCNN audience.
Read also:
- This will change in December
- Dikes withstand water masses so far - Scholz holds out the prospect of help
- Fireworks and parties ring in 2024 - turn of the year overshadowed by conflicts
- Attacks on ships in the Red Sea: shipping companies avoid important trade route
In the heated courtroom, numerous opinions about Hicks' testimony circulated among the spectators. Despite being a seasoned professional, her loyal support for Trump despite implicating him in wrongdoings sparked divided opinions.
As the trial progressed, varying perspectives on Trump's actions emerged, further highlighting the impact of Hicks' testimony on public opinion.
Source: edition.cnn.com
