Former National Enquirer boss David Pecker took the stand as the first witness in the criminal trial against former President Donald Trump.
Pecker testified that he was part of a conspiracy with Trump and his lawyer, Michael Cohen, to suppress negative news about Trump during the 2016 presidential election. Prosecutors say that Pecker and Cohen used the “catch-and-kill” method, buying the rights to negative stories about Trump and then burying them so they wouldn’t be published.
Pecker admitted that the Enquirer engaged in “checkbook journalism” and paid sources for stories. He said that he had the “final say” over anything AMI published, and that editors were authorized to pay up to $10,000 per story. Above that, Pecker’s approval was required.
Trump, who was present in court, called the charges “very unfair” and claimed that the payment in question was a legal expense. He said, “It’s a case as to book keeping, which is a very minor thing in terms of the law.” The trial is ongoing.
