In a significant development in the hush-money trial surrounding former President Donald Trump, his former campaign press secretary, Hope Hicks, took the stand as a key witness on Friday. Providing crucial testimony, Hicks shed light on Trump's worries regarding media coverage and the potential impact on his wife, Melania.

Hicks testified that Trump expressed concern about a Wall Street Journal article focusing on American Media Inc. (AMI) purchasing stories about Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal but choosing not to publish them. Trump was particularly worried about the article's effect on Melania and instructed Hicks to ensure that the newspapers were not delivered to their residence that morning.

Throughout her testimony, Hicks emphasized Trump's central role in shaping the campaign's media strategy, stating, "we were all just following his lead." She credited Trump for the campaign's messaging and policy agenda, stating that he "deserves the credit for the different messages that the campaign focused on."

This testimony marked a turning point for prosecutors, as Hicks became the first former Trump staff member with intimate knowledge of the campaign to speak about Trump's alleged misconduct. She expressed her concerns about an email she received from a Washington Post reporter regarding the Access Hollywood tape, describing it as a "damaging development" that created a sense of crisis among the campaign staffers.

Furthermore, Hicks revealed that when faced with a media inquiry from the Wall Street Journal about the AMI's purchase of the Daniels and McDougal stories, she discussed the matter with Trump. Hicks stated that Trump instructed her to deny any sexual relationship with Daniels and expressed worry about the story and how Melania might be affected.

These revelations elicited an emotional response from Hicks during her testimony, with the former press secretary breaking into tears at one point. Her credibility became a point of contention for Trump's lawyer, Todd Blanche, who argued against the prosecution's mention of Judge Juan Merchan holding him in contempt.

Although the court session concluded with Trump leaving the courtroom, Judge Juan Merchan addressed outstanding issues related to potential questions posed if Trump chooses to testify. Additionally, Hicks revealed that Trump valued Melania's opinion greatly and expressed a desire to shield his family from any harm or embarrassment during the campaign.

Hicks also discussed Michael Cohen's role in Trump's 2016 campaign, describing him as someone who would try to insert himself at certain moments but emphasizing that he had no official capacity. Cohen referred to himself as a "fixer" or "Mr. Fix it," a title Hicks believed was given to him because he broke it in the first place.

As the witness stand closed for Hicks, her testimony provided valuable insights into Trump's concerns about media coverage and his efforts to protect his family during the contentious 2016 campaign. The prosecution concluded its line of questioning, and the trial will continue to delve into the intricate details surrounding the hush-money payments and their implications for the former president.