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.
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Hicks's Testimony
Hope Hicks, a former Trump aide, testified in the hush-money trial.
She became emotional during the testimony, highlighting the tension in the courtroom.
insights INSIGHT
Motive Behind Payments
The prosecution called Hicks to discuss the Trump campaign's reaction to the Access Hollywood tape.
This aimed to establish a motive for the alleged hush-money payments.
insights INSIGHT
Context is King
The case hinges on the motive behind the hush-money payments and related actions.
Establishing a political motive is key for the prosecution to secure felony charges.
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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.
Trump's Terms 