Trump trial: Hope Hicks faces her ex-boss on 'Access Hollywood' tape, Daniels payment

"We are going to call it a week at this time," Judge Merchan told the jury, dismissing them for the weekend.

The judge then gathered attorneys for both sides to continue the case's Sandoval hearing, begun last week, about the limit on Trump's potential testimony.

Defense attorney Todd Blanche objected to Trump being cross-examined on his gag order violations.

"Injecting into the cross-examination a finding by your honor beyond a reasonable doubt of contempt ... it puts a layer on top of the testimony," Blanche said. "It invites a sideshow that the People don't need."

Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo argued that the gag order violations are relevant to Trump's credibility because if he violated the gag order, he similarly might "violate his obligation to tell the truth."

"These findings are relevant to the defendant's credibility if he chooses to testify," he said.

Issuing his ruling, Merchan denied the prosecution's request to cross-examine Trump on the gag order violations, finding that a determination from the court would be too prejudicial for the jury to overlook.

"I agree with Mr. Blanche," Merchan said, ending the week's proceedings.

Longtime Trump aide Hope Hicks reached for a glass of water as defense attorney Emil Bove, who has slowed the pace of his questioning, returned to the topic of the "Access Hollywood" tape.

Hicks said that Trump wanted his family to be proud of him, reinforcing the defense argument that Trump was just trying to protect his family amid negative press ahead of the 2016 election.

"I don't think he wanted anyone in his family to be hurt or embarrassed by anything that was happening on the campaign," Hicks said. "He wanted them to be proud of him."

Throughout her cross-examination, Hicks sprinkled her testimony with positive remarks about Trump.

"He likes to call and praise people for stories, even if they were not about him," Hicks said of Trump's interactions with the media. "He does a really nice job of maintaining relationships and always being willing to engage with the media."

When asked about her role in Trump's presidential campaign, Hicks responded, "I have only been on one campaign but it was a great one."

Trump, through much of this testimony, sat back in his chair, clasping his open hands over his chest.

Bove subsequently concluded his cross-examination and Hicks stepped down off the stand.

She appeared to give a side-eye glance at Trump as she left. As she walked by, Trump turned his head and watched her walk toward the exit.

Defense attorney Emil Bove restarted his cross-examination of questioning longtime Trump aide Hope Hicks by asking her about her time at the Trump Organization -- following up on her earlier sentiment about the company functioning like a family business.

He asked if she met members of the Trump family, his wife and other employees.

"You felt you had his trust and respect, right?" Bove asked regarding Trump.

"Trust and respect? Yes," Hicks said.

Hicks' voice wavered during her testimony about the Trump Organization, which she recalled fondly.

"I really looked up to Rhona," Hicks said about Rhona Graff, Trump's longtime executive assistant.

Asked about then-Trump attorney Michael Cohen, she said found him something of a headache for the campaign when he circumvented their press shop.

"He went rogue, at times? Fair to say?" Bove asked.

"Yes," Hicks said.

"There were times ... he did things that were not helpful?" Bove asked.

"I used to say he would like to call himself a 'fixer,' or 'Mr. Fix-it,'" Hicks testified. "But it was only because he first broke it."

Longtime Trump aide Hope Hicks returned to the courtroom after breaking down on the witness stand. Her face was red and her eyes still watery as she walked past the gallery and to her seat on the witness stand.

Trump -- who appeared to be in the middle of a conversation with his lawyers -- did not look up as Hicks re-entered the courtroom after a short break.

Both Trump and Hicks looked straight ahead as the jurors re-entered the courtroom. For a brief moment, Hicks appeared to glance toward the defense table. She did not appear to make eye contact with Trump.

"Sorry about that," Hicks said as defense attorney Emil Bove resumed his cross-examination.