Judge Allows Trump to Testify in Hush Money Trial; Ex-Press Secretary Hicks Set to Take Stand

In the criminal trial involving allegations of “hush money” against Donald Trump, the judge rejected Trump’s argument that he couldn’t testify because of a gag order and upheld his right to speak freely in court.

Trump, the anticipated 2024 GOP nominee, faces 34 counts of falsifying business records in connection with a $130,000 payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election. He has entered a plea of not guilty.

Hope Hicks, Trump’s former press secretary and senior White House spokesperson, is anticipated to testify imminently, according to reports from the Washington Post.

Here is my statement. pic.twitter.com/WAZiGoQqMQ

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 8, 2016

Hicks, who served as Trump’s campaign press secretary in 2016 and held various positions in the White House, has been mentioned in connection with the trial.

Ex-National Enquirer publisher David Pecker testified that Hicks was present during a crucial August 2015 meeting at Trump Tower, where Pecker pledged to be the campaign’s informant regarding potentially damaging stories.

During the meeting, Pecker conveyed to Trump and Michael Cohen his commitment to monitor negative stories that could harm Trump’s campaign, with Hicks reportedly present.

Hicks has since parted ways with Trump and is no longer employed by him.