David Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer, testified in the hush money trial of former President Donald Trump, revealing details of their long-standing relationship and a mutually beneficial agreement they had during the 2016 presidential campaign. Pecker stated that he, Trump, and former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen had a meeting in 2015 to discuss how he could assist Trump’s campaign.
The arrangement, according to Pecker, involved publishing positive stories about Trump and negative stories about his opponents. He anticipated that women would emerge to sell stories about Trump, based on his experience with previous political campaigns. Pecker had known Trump since 1999 and had introduced him to Cohen in 2007, advising Cohen to contact him if any negative stories surfaced.
Pecker testified about specific instances where he paid individuals to suppress negative stories about Trump, including a doorman who claimed to know about an alleged love child between Trump and a maid. Pecker also mentioned an agreement regarding Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal’s story about an alleged affair with Trump. He stated that Trump personally called him to express his concern about the potential release of the story.
Despite the agreement to suppress McDougal’s story, it was eventually published by the Wall Street Journal in November 2016. Earlier on the day of Pecker’s testimony, another prosecutor in the DA’s office requested that Trump be held in contempt and fined $10,000 for allegedly violating a gag order by making public comments about potential witnesses and the jury. Trump’s lawyer argued that his client was merely responding to attacks made against him. The judge has yet to rule on the contempt issue.
Pecker’s testimony provides insights into the efforts made by Trump and his associates to suppress negative stories during the 2016 campaign. The trial, which is ongoing, is expected to continue with further testimony from Pecker when it resumes on Thursday.
