Matthew Whitaker Tells Newsmax: Hope Hicks’ Testimony Benefited Trump

Former acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker said on Newsmax Saturday that Hope Hicks’ testimony in former president Donald Trump’s New York criminal trial actually benefited his case.

“What she said is that these were not campaign-related nondisclosure agreements,” Whitaker told Newsmax’s “Saturday Report.”

“She said these were personal, that the president was concerned about these false allegations reaching his wife, Melania, and he knew that it would upset her.”

Trump is facing allegations of falsifying business records in connection with a $130,000 hush money payment made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels for her claims of a tryst with him in 2006, which he denies.

The payment was made during the final stages of the 2016 presidential campaign, leading to claims that the records were falsified due to the campaign.

“The left and the prosecution have it all wrong,” Whitaker said. “They have a bad legal theory followed with bad facts. They’ve had tremendously bad witnesses, including upcoming star witness, Michael Cohen. It’s terrible for the legal system and really terrible for the American people.”

Whitaker also discussed attorney Keith Davidson’s testimony, stating that such actions are part of the challenge in our current culture and the age of celebrity.

Whitaker emphasized that a mixed-purpose expense does not qualify as a campaign expense and mentioned that the Federal Election Commission and the Southern District of New York rejected the case.

He highlighted the “novel legal theories” used by District Attorney Alvin Bragg and emphasized the importance of the jury instructions in the case.

Whitaker expressed concerns about the trial Judge Juan Merchan, calling him “completely conflicted and unfair” to Trump.

Regarding a possible gag order violation, Whitaker stated that it would be outrageous if Trump ends up facing jail time over it.

Sandy Fitzgerald is a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics with more than three decades in journalism.