NPR reporter Ximena Bustillo and former NY Prosecutor Tristan Snell discuss Hope Hicks' emotional testimony in Trump's hush money trial, Judge's contempt ruling, and prosecutors seeking second contempt charge. Insights into campaign chaos, legal strategies, and intense courtroom dynamics unfold in this dramatic episode.
Hope Hicks provided emotional testimony on Trump's campaign's handling of affairs and the significance of the stories on the election.
Former lawyer Keith Davidson exposed the details of hush money negotiations and the catch-and-kill scheme to silence stories, implicating Trump and Cohen.
Deep dives
Testimony of Hope Hicks in Trump's Trial
Former Trump aide Hope Hicks, a key witness in Trump's trial, provided insight into the 2016 campaign and the alleged cover-up deals made before the election. Hicks, a trusted member of Trump's inner circle, highlighted the impact of the stories and allegations of affairs on the campaign's response. Despite the emotional testimony, Hicks maintained admiration for Trump and the administration, stressing the significance of the campaign.
Key Witness Keith Davidson and the Catch and Kill Scheme
Key witness Keith Davidson, the former lawyer for Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal, shed light on the negotiations regarding hush money payments. Davidson disclosed details of the catch and kill scheme orchestrated to prevent these stories from surfacing, involving the National Enquirer, Cohen, and Trump. Text messages and contracts provided evidence of the coordinated efforts to keep these stories silent.
Contempt Ruling Against Trump and Preemptive Measures
Judge Juan Mershan held Trump in contempt for violating the gag order multiple times during the trial, imposing penalties which Trump considered insignificant. The defense argued for Trump's right to respond to accusations, particularly due to his presidential candidate status. The prosecution preemptively addressed Michael Cohen's credibility concerns and his potential impact as a star witness by highlighting his prior criminal convictions and portrayals of him as an unlikable character.
For this episode of Trump's Trials, host Scott Detrow speaks with NPR's Ximena Bustillo and former New York Prosecutor Tristan Snell. He's a former New York prosecutor who led the state's case against Trump University, and author of the book Taking Down Trump.
The third week of former President Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial ended with a high-profile witness: former Trump aide Hope Hicks. She testified about the Trump campaign's damage control efforts in the 2016 election and even took a break after briefly breaking down on the witness stand.
Earlier in the week, Judge Juan Merchan fined Trump $9,000 for contempt of court for violating a gag order. And on Thursday prosecutors asked Merchan to hold him in contempt for a second time for recent comments he's made about jurors and witnesses.