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A “really nervous” Hope Hicks, who served as Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign press secretary and one of his closest White House aides, broke down in tears as she testified Friday in the criminal “hush money” trial against him in Manhattan.

The former president and presumptive 2024 GOP nominee has pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records related to a $130,000 payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 election.

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What to know

Trump waves to supporters while riding away from court: exclusive photos

By Kaydi Pelletier

That Friday feeling.

trump in the car waving and gesturing to supporters
Donald Trump acknowledged supporters on the street as his motorcade drove away. Paul Martinka
trump in the car waving and gesturing to supporters
He pointed and gave two thumbs up to the MAGA fans gathered. Paul Martinka
Today marks the end of the trial's third week. Paul Martinka
trump in the car waving and gesturing to supporters
The trial resumes Monday. Paul Martinka

Hope Hicks leaves court after emotional testimony: exclusive photos

By Kaydi Pelletier
Hope Hicks leaving the lower Manhattan courthouse Friday.
Hope Hicks leaving the lower Manhattan courthouse Friday. William Farrington for NY Post
Hope Hicks leaving the lower Manhattan courthouse Friday.
Hicks broke down in tears on the stand when Trump's lawyers asked about her time working at the Trump Org. William Farrington for NY Post

Hope Hicks testimony 'very interesting' — and it's 'a shame' what 'vicious radical left lunatics have done to this country,' Trump says leaving court

By Kaydi Pelletier

Leaving court just now, Trump railed against Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg and the Department of Justice:

"They've been after us for years — Democrats, the radical left — they've destroyed people's lives.

trump in court hallway
"I was very interested in what happened today," Trump said of watching one of his closest White House aides, Hope Hicks, testify. Reuters

"It's a shame what they've done to this country. ... These are vicious, vicious radical left lunatics. ... In the meantime the country's going to hell."

He cited the border crisis, inflation, Afghanistan, and Russia's war in Ukraine, saying it "never would have happened," seemingly meaning if he was in office.

"I was very interested in what happened today," Trump said of watching one of his closest White House aides, Hope Hicks, testify.

Trump trial ends for the week as Hope Hicks wraps up testimony

By Kyle Schnitzer

Donald Trump's hush money trial wrapped up early Friday as jurors were excused after Hope Hicks finished testifying.

The trial resumes Monday at 9:30 a.m.

Hope Hicks finishes testifying in Trump's hush money trial

By Kyle Schnitzer

Hope Hicks wrapped up her testimony Friday afternoon. As she exited the courtroom, it didn't appear that she made eye contact with Donald Trump.

Why Trump was worried about WSJ paper reaching Melania: Hicks

By Kyle Schnitzer

Hope Hicks testified that Donald Trump "really values" wife Melania's opinion and that what she thinks can be "really meaningful" to him — which is why he didn't want the Wall Street Journal to get delivered to his home.

“He really values – President Trump really values Mrs. Trump’s opinion. She doesn’t weigh in all the time, but when she does, it’s really meaningful," Hicks said, responding to a question by Trump attorney Emil Bove, who asked her about the couple's relationship.

"He really respects what she has to say. I think his concern was what her perception would be. I knew that was weighing on him.”

Hicks then added that Trump didn't want anyone from his family to "be hurt" by stories that were "going on in his campaign."

Hicks: Cohen is a fixer 'only because he first broke it'

By Kyle Schnitzer

Hope Hicks testified that Michael Cohen's reputation as a "fixer" is because he's usually cleaning up his own mess.

“He liked to call himself a fixer, or Mr. Fix It," Hicks said. "It’s only because he first broke it so he could fix it.”

Her response, under cross-examination by Donald Trump's attorneys, drew a few chuckles inside the courtroom.

Michael Cohen at the White House podium
Michael Cohen at the White House podium in 2017, in this exhibit shown in court Thursday. NY Courts

Hope Hicks resumes testifying after breaking down in tears

By Kyle Schnitzer

Hope Hicks resumed testifying Friday afternoon after breaking down in tears at the beginning of cross-examination by Donald Trump attorney Emil Bove.

Former top Trump White House aide Hope Hicks had to take a minute to compose herself as the ex-prez's lawyers began questioning her. REUTERS

Hope Hicks breaks down on witness stand

By Kyle Schnitzer

Hope Hicks began crying on the witness stand as Donald Trump's attorney Emil Bove started cross-examination by saying, "I want to talk to you about your time at the Trump Organization."

The judge then asked her if she needed a moment, and Hicks responded in a broken tone, "Uh, yes, please."

She used a tissue and wiped her right eye as the jurors were being excused.

Trump attorney begins grilling Hope Hicks

By Kyle Schnitzer

Donald Trump attorney Emil Bove has started on cross examination with Hope Hicks still on the stand.

Trump 'concerned' about Melania, didn't want newspapers delivered to home after WSJ : Hope Hicks

By Kyle Schnitzer

Donald Trump was "concerned" about how a Wall Street Journal story about Playboy model Karen McDougal and porn star Stormy Daniels would be perceived by his wife, Melania, Hope Hicks testified Friday — adding that Trump wanted to "make sure" that the newspapers weren't delivered to his home the morning the story was published.

trump in court hallway
Donald Trump was "concerned" about how a Wall Street Journal story about Playboy model Karen McDougal and porn star Stormy Daniels would be perceived by his wife, Melania, Hope Hicks testified Friday. Getty Images

"He was concerned about the story. He was concerned how it would be viewed by his wife," Hicks said, referring to Melania.

"And he wanted to make sure the newspapers weren't delivered to his residence that morning."

Hicks now reading through text message exchange with Michael Cohen after 2016 WSJ story

By Kyle Schnitzer

Hope Hicks is reading through text messages she had with Michael Cohen on Nov. 4, 2016 — the day the Wall Street Journal published a story about Karen McDougal and Stormy Daniels.

The exchange shows Hicks' and Cohen's communications on the day the story dropped, including one text by Cohen critiquing the story with a funny typo.

hope hicks
Hope Hicks read aloud her texts with Trump's former "fixer" lawyer Michael Cohen while testifying Friday. REUTERS

“Poorly written and I dot seeing it get much play,” Cohen said in one text sent to Hicks, with "dot" meaning "don't."

Hicks testified that "there’s just a little irony there" after reading the text aloud in court.

Other texts from Cohen included: “Call me," "Any news," and “Any news???”

Hicks said the Wall Street Journal story didn't get "any traction" despite initial fears.

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