Former White House aide Madeleine Westerhout broke down in tears while testifying at Donald Trump’s hush money trial in Manhattan. She recalled being fired by Trump after what she called a “regretful youthful indiscretion.”
Westerhout, who served as Trump’s executive assistant, was let go in 2019 after telling reporters she had a better relationship with Trump than his daughters. Despite the firing, Trump called her a “very good person” and wished her well.
During her emotional testimony, Westerhout revealed how she handled cheques for Trump’s attorney Michael Cohen, who was reimbursed for hush money paid to Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about an alleged sexual encounter with Trump in 2006.
She detailed how FedEx envelopes containing cheques were sent to Trump’s bodyguard’s home in Washington DC, then delivered to her at the White House for Trump to sign. The payments were disguised as “legal expenses” to conceal their true purpose.
Westerhout also disclosed that Republican officials discussed replacing Trump as a candidate after the release of the infamous “Access Hollywood” tape in 2005, where he made lewd comments about women. However, she noted that the tape did not affect Trump’s relationship with his wife Melania.
Despite the tumultuous events, Westerhout praised Trump as a good boss who never made her feel out of place. She wrote a book about her time at the White House, expressing her belief that Trump was unfairly treated and wanting to share his side of the story with the American people.