Former top Trump aide Hope Hicks took the stand on Friday in the ongoing trial of the former president, providing crucial testimony about Donald Trump's response to the release of the "Access Hollywood" tape and his alleged involvement in the hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. Hicks' emotional testimony offered insight into the events leading up to the 2016 presidential election.

During her three-hour testimony, Hicks recounted her reaction upon receiving an email about the imminent release of the "Access Hollywood" tape, in which Trump was heard making inappropriate comments about women. She testified that she immediately sensed the gravity of the situation and anticipated that it would dominate the news cycle. Hicks revealed that the instinctive response from Trump and his campaign officials was to "deny, deny, deny."

When asked about Trump's concern for the impact on his campaign, Hicks affirmed that the revelation was indeed damaging. However, she noted that Trump did not view it as a matter to become overly upset about, considering it to be a seemingly common occurrence among men's conversations. Hicks' testimony shed light on Trump's perspective at the time, indicating that he believed it was standard behavior between two individuals.

The topic then shifted to the Stormy Daniels hush payment, with Hicks testifying that Trump informed her in 2018 that his former attorney, Michael Cohen, had made the payment without his knowledge. However, Hicks expressed doubt about Cohen's selfless motives, stating that she did not consider him to be a charitable or selfless person. She believed that Cohen was the type of person who sought credit for his actions.

The intensity of the trial took its toll on Hicks as she began to break down in tears during her cross-examination. The judge called for a brief recess, allowing Hicks to compose herself. Throughout this emotional moment, Trump showed no visible reaction, instead engaging in conversations with his legal team.

Hicks returned to the stand after the break, apologizing for the interruption, and resumed her testimony. Her statements largely aligned with the prosecution's case, emphasizing Trump's concerns about potential damage to his campaign and the potential impact on his family. Hicks highlighted that Trump wanted his family to remain unharmed and proud of his actions during the campaign.

As the trial progresses, the next witness will take the stand on Monday morning at 9:30 a.m. ET. Meanwhile, Trump awaits Judge Juan Merchan's ruling on four additional alleged gag order violations, following his conviction on nine counts.

Hicks' testimony provides a crucial narrative surrounding key events leading up to the 2016 election. It reveals Trump's initial reaction to the "Access Hollywood" tape and his alleged lack of involvement in the Stormy Daniels hush payment. The trial continues to captivate public attention as it unravels the behind-the-scenes actions of one of America's most controversial presidential campaigns.