Jurors in the Trump trial were presented with a full transcript of the infamous "Access Hollywood" tape on Friday, featuring Trump's vulgar language and controversial comments, including the notorious "grab 'em by the p*ssy" remark. While they did not hear the audio itself, as the judge deemed it potentially prejudicial, Hope Hicks' testimony provided a detailed account of the chaos within the Trump campaign following the tape's release in October 2016.
Hicks, a former Trump aide, recalled first learning about the tape when a Washington Post reporter emailed her for comment. She was concerned about the contents of the email, the lack of time to respond, and the fact that they only had a transcript without the actual tape. She promptly forwarded the email to several campaign staffers, including Kellyanne Conway, with a note to "deny, deny, deny."
When informing Trump about the tape at Trump Tower, Hicks testified that he initially claimed it didn't sound like something he would say. However, after seeing the tape, he became upset. Hicks admitted that, in that moment, she wasn't concerned about the impact on female voters, but it did cross her mind later.
Hicks portrayed Trump as not wanting to offend anyone, believing the conversation was "pretty standard stuff for two guys chatting with each other." This testimony offers a glimpse into the campaign's scramble to respond to the scandal and Trump's initial reaction to the release of the tape.
The "Access Hollywood" tape became a pivotal moment in the 2016 presidential campaign, sparking widespread outrage and calls for Trump to withdraw from the race. The tape's release and Trump's subsequent response have been widely criticized as perpetuating harmful attitudes toward women and sexual misconduct.
By presenting the transcript and Hicks' testimony, prosecutors aim to demonstrate Trump's knowledge and involvement in the hush money payments and potentially connect this incident to the broader pattern of his alleged misconduct. As the trial progresses, the jury will continue to hear evidence and testimony that may further illuminate Trump's actions and motivations.
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