“This paints a picture of Trump, who is completely uncompromising and completely loses all control, which his base is considered to be a man who commands at all times. This is completely contrary to that, “the adviser added.
Trump’s adviser, who was in a group text chat with several other Trump aides and allies during the hearing, said “no one takes this lightly.”
“For the first time since the hearings began, no one denies this,” the councilor said.
Another Trump ally told CNN that the testimony of Hutchinson, a former chief aide to White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, would seal Meadows’ fate as a “persona non grata” for the former president.
“It’s one of the reasons [Trump] is furious with Meadows. He was already frozen, but now he will be a persona non grata, “said the man.
The shocking revelations of Hutchinson’s testimony about Trump’s January 6 misconduct and state of mind could make it easier for Republican presidential candidates to challenge the former president in the primary if he runs, Trump’s ally added.
“This is basically an advertising campaign for (Governor of Florida) Ron DeSantis 2024,” Trump’s ally said.
Trump says he hardly knows Hutchinson
Trump, as he often does with aides and allies with whom he was once close, but later turned against him, said Tuesday that he “hardly knows[s]”Hutchinson also personally rejected the request she made to join his post-presidential staff in Mar-a-Lago.
“When she asked to go with some others on my team to Florida after I served a full term, I personally rejected her application,” Trump told Truth Social during Hutchinson’s live testimony.
Trump tried to portray Hutchinson’s testimony Tuesday as revenge, claiming she was “very upset and angry that I don’t want her” at his Palm Beach residence.
The former president’s attempt to distance himself from Hutchinson, which he described as “bad news” on Tuesday, came after the commission showed images of the West Wing to demonstrate how close it is to the Oval Office as Meadows’ assistant. Many former White House staffers have also publicly guaranteed Hutchinson’s closeness to Trump and his chief of staff before and during her appearance on Tuesday.
“Anyone who belittles the role of Cassidy Hutchinson or her access to the West Wing also doesn’t understand how Trump [White House] they have worked or are trying to discredit her because they are afraid of how damned these testimonies are, “tweeted former White House Deputy Spokeswoman Sarah Matthews.
In response, a former White House staffer said: “Everyone at WH knew her well. And even if Trump didn’t know her name, he certainly recognized her. She traveled on AF1 with Mark for each trip. In addition, this former associate said that while the testimony on Tuesday was insane, it was also 100% plausible, given what this man knew after working at the White House.
The most surprising episode for some aides so far was when Hutchinson recounted an incident she heard about a second-hand case in which Trump claimed he tried to throw himself at the wheel of the presidential car so he could be taken to the Capitol. 6th of January. Following the testimony, an intelligence official familiar with the matter told CNN that Tony Ornato, then deputy chief of staff of the White House, denied having told Hutchinson that the former president had taken the wheel or was an agent for its detail.
Trump was nervous about the testimony
Earlier, Trump denied reporting Hutchinson’s leaked testimony, claiming on his Truth Social platform earlier this month that he “never said or even thought to say ‘Ten Mike Pence.’
“It’s either a fictional story by someone who wants to be a star, or fake news!” He once wrote.
But a man close to Trump said he was nervous about Tuesday’s hearing, which included live testimony from Hutchinson. Ahead of the commission’s announcement Monday, the man said Trump felt triumphant amid successive Supreme Court rulings defending the right to conceal the carrying of weapons and ending the constitutional right to abortion.
“He definitely didn’t expect such a turnaround,” said a man close to Trump.
The former president and his allies plan to choose Hutchinson as a junior aide who had little influence in the West Wing, despite her closeness to both the then president and his then chief of staff. Hutchinson served in the Legislative Office before becoming Meadows’ chief associate and witnessed several key episodes leading up to Jan. 6, in addition to witnessing some of Trump’s real-time reactions that day.
Trump was particularly concerned about what Hutchinson might say about his state of mind and his reaction to the Jan. 6 insurgents, a second person close to him said.
Meadows in high readiness
Hutchinson’s proximity to Meadows put the former White House chief of staff on high alert ahead of Tuesday’s hearing.
Hutchinson “worked as his executive assistant,” said a man familiar with their relationship and her understanding of his daily schedule, conversations and interactions with Trump is unsurpassed.
“I think so far the commission has kept its fire on Meadows, but today will be Meadows Day,” the man said.
Meadows personally promoted Hutchinson of the White House Legislative Office to his office in the West Wing, where the man said he was “given tremendous access and great visibility” in his dealings with Trump and several senior Republican lawmakers.
A second person familiar with the matter said Hutchinson did not receive zero support from Meadows as she became entangled in the commission’s January 6 investigation, but remained in touch with some of his other aides.
Now Meadows and his allies are worried that he may return to pursue him.
They are closely monitoring Tuesday’s hearing to see what new information Hutchinson reveals in his sworn testimony, a second source said, noting that Meadows is particularly concerned that her appearance could further strain his relationship with Trump.
In recent months, Trump has complained privately to his allies about text messages Meadows sent to the House of Representatives panel before he stopped cooperating, and a book written by Meadows that contains startling new details about the gravity of Trump’s battle with Covid-19 also angered the former president.
This story was updated with additional reports on Tuesday.
CNN’s Josh Campbell contributed to this report.
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