"This was a crisis": Hope Hicks testifies in N.Y. criminal trial and other week three highlights

The third week of former President Trump's New York criminal trial reached a crescendo on Friday when Hope Hicks took the stand, bringing one of Trump's onetime closest aides face to face with her former boss.

Why it matters: Hicks provided vivid details about the panic inside the Trump campaign after the "Access Hollywood" tape was made public weeks before the 2016 presidential election.

Hicks is the first member of Trump's inner circle to take the stand in his New York criminal trial.

Hope Hicks Suddenly Breaks Into Tears at Trump Trial

Hope Hicks, a former top aide to ex-President Donald Trump, broke down in tears while testifying at Trump's hush-money criminal trial in New York City.

Hicks took the stand on Friday to testify about her recollections of Trump's attempt to cover up alleged affairs with adult-film star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal just prior to the 2016 presidential election.

Former Trump aide Hope Hicks testifies about key events in 2016

Hope Hicks, a top aide to former President Donald Trump during his political rise, is testifying in her former boss’ hush money trial about key players in 2016 payoffs to women and the fallout from the “Access Hollywood” tape before the election.

Ms. Hicks admitted she was “really nervous” as she took the witness stand Friday. She testified about an urgent request from a Washington Post reporter in October 2016 seeking comment about the “Access Hollywood” audio, in which Mr. Trump speaks crudely about his stardom and touching women.

Who is Hope Hicks, the former Trump adviser testifying in New York criminal trial?

Hope Hicks, a Trump-era White House adviser and communications director, is next to testify in former President Donald Trump's criminal trial.

Hick's name has been brought up by several witnesses who have testified so far. She is expected to be questioned by prosecutors about her knowledge of the deal brokered between Trump and the leadership at the National Enquirer tabloid to "catch and kill" stories that could harm his presidential run.

'She'll be forthcoming': Legal expert shows why one witness will likely sing in Trump case

Among those who will come forward to speak truthfully as witnesses for the prosecution in Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial, his Hope Hicks is perhaps most intriguing and also seasoned. Former litigator and MSNBC legal analyst Lisa Rubin laid out a litany of insights into one of former President Donald Trump's most trusted confidantes and battle-tested loyalists. For Rubin, she has no doubts Hicks will be truthful and savvy under questioning. "Some have asked me whether Hope Hicks will testify truthfully if called as a witness in the Manhattan...

Hope Hicks to meet with Jan. 6 committee: Report

Former Trump aide Hope Hicks will meet with the Jan. 6 committee on Tuesday to give a deposition, according to multiple reports.

Hicks previously served as the White House director of strategic communications and as the White House communications director before shifting to be counselor to the president during the Trump administration. News of Hicks's deposition comes after the committee held what was expected to be its last public hearing earlier this month.