Longtime Trump aide Hope Hicks reached for a glass of water as defense attorney Emil Bove, who has slowed the pace of his questioning, returned to the topic of the “Access Hollywood” tape.
Hicks said that Trump wanted his family to be proud of him, reinforcing the defense argument that Trump was just trying to protect his family amid negative press ahead of the 2016 election.
“I don’t think he wanted anyone in his family to be hurt or embarrassed by anything that was happening on the campaign,” Hicks said. “He wanted them to be proud of him.”
Throughout her cross-examination, Hicks sprinkled her testimony with positive remarks about Trump.
“He likes to call and praise people for stories, even if they were not about him,” Hicks said of Trump’s interactions with the media. “He does a really nice job of maintaining relationships and always being willing to engage with the media.”
When asked about her role in Trump’s presidential campaign, Hicks responded, “I have only been on one campaign but it was a great one.”
Trump, through much of this testimony, sat back in his chair, clasping his open hands over his chest.
Bove subsequently concluded his cross-examination and Hicks stepped down off the stand.
She appeared to give a side-eye glance at Trump as she left. As she walked by, Trump turned his head and watched her walk toward the exit.
