Madeleine Westerhout, former director of Oval Office operations at the White House, became emotional on the stand, making her the second former White House aide to break down in tears during the trial after Hope Hicks did the same last week.
“I very much regret my youthful indiscretion,” she said, explaining that she left the White House after sharing information with reporters at an off-the-record dinner.
Fighting back tears, Westerhout said she had “grown up a lot since then.”
Before joining the Trump administration, Westerhout worked at the Republican National Committee, where she recalled the release of the "Access Hollywood" tape that "rocked" Republican leaders - saying "there were discussions about how it would be possible to replace [Trump] as a candidate if it came to that.
Westerhout's cross-examination continues Friday morning.
2 witnesses briefly take turns on the stand
After Stormy Daniels finished her testimony and left the stand, prosecutors called two additional witnesses in succession.
Rebecca Manochio, an accountant at the Trump Organization, testified about her role in sending checks for Michael Cohen and others to Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., for his signature. She testified that she first sent them to the home of Trump's bodyguard, Keith Schiller, but then sent them to John McEntee, a Trump White House aide.
Then Tracy Menzies, head of publishing at HarperCollins, read excerpts from Trump's 2007 book, "Think Big: Make It Happen in Business and Life," including: "My motto is : “Always take revenge”. When someone screws you over, screw them over in spades” and “I value loyalty above all else”.
Trial proceeding on time, says Merchan
Judge Merchan told jurors the trial was set to end in six weeks.
Prosecutors had previously suggested they could wrap up their case as early as the end of next week, but said it would most likely wrap up early the following week. The defense will then present its arguments, followed by the state's rebuttal.
The trial schedule could depend on how long lawyers seek to question Michael Cohen, the case's star witness, when he takes the stand.
