Results for: Hush Money

In the ongoing trial involving former President Donald Trump, his defense lawyers are set to cross-examine David Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer, who has described helping to suppress negative stories about Trump during the 2016 election. The charges against Trump stem from hush money payments intended to conceal potentially damaging information from emerging before the election. Pecker has provided details on the ‘catch-and-kill’ practices employed by the tabloid, which involved acquiring potentially harmful stories and preventing their publication through paid agreements. The defense’s line of questioning aims to establish that Trump’s dealings were solely intended to protect his reputation and family, and not his campaign.

Former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker testified in Trump’s trial, revealing Trump’s involvement in silencing women who claimed sexual encounters with him. Pecker paid to suppress stories from McDougal and a doorman, ensuring the media would not publish them. Pecker alerted Trump’s lawyer, Cohen, about Stormy Daniels’ story, but declined to buy it due to concerns about her status as a porn star. Cohen ultimately paid Daniels to stay silent, an act prosecutors allege as a campaign expense that deceived voters. Pecker also revealed that American Media initially agreed to sell McDougal’s story to Trump but canceled the deal after legal concerns.

Tensions reached new heights during the ongoing hush money criminal trial of former U.S. President Donald Trump in New York on Tuesday. The courtroom erupted in shouting when Trump’s lawyer, Matthew Russell, mentioned text messages between former National Enquirer editor-in-chief Dylan Howard and an unnamed relative. The prosecution objected, leading Trump lawyer Emil Bove to interject. However, Bove was quickly interrupted by someone from the prosecution side who shouted, “Woah!” The incident highlights the high stakes and tense atmosphere surrounding the trial, which centers on allegations that Trump falsified business records to cover up a hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential election.

The ongoing hush money trial of former President Donald Trump has lifted the lid on a murky corner of the media industry: pay-to-play tabloid journalism. During his 2016 presidential campaign, Trump enjoyed close ties with the National Enquirer, headed by American Media Inc. CEO David Pecker. Pecker testified under oath that he actively sought to be Trump’s “eyes and ears,” engaging in a scheme to “catch” (buy the rights to) and “kill” (never publish) negative Trump stories. Trump is now accused of falsifying documents related to a payment made to Stormy Daniels to suppress her alleged affair with him. Pecker’s testimony highlights the disturbing tactics used by some tabloid outlets, including paying sources for stories and embellishing information to create salacious headlines. While there are arguments for compensating marginalized sources, the practice of buying stories is generally taboo in traditional newsrooms. The National Enquirer’s “checkbook journalism” approach raises concerns about the credibility and independence of such outlets.

Former President Donald Trump has sparked outrage after a photo emerged of him handing a “White House key” to former Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso. The incident took place at Trump Tower on Tuesday, hours after Trump left a Manhattan criminal court where he is facing trial for falsifying business records to hide hush money payments. Many have criticized Trump for pretending to be president and for using the “key” as a prop. Legal experts have also raised questions about whether Trump’s actions could be considered a violation of his gag order in the criminal case.

In a pivotal trial, Donald Trump faced setbacks as a key witness, David Pecker, exposed a conspiracy to influence the 2016 election. Prosecutors presented evidence of payments made to conceal sex scandals during Trump’s campaign. The judge presiding over the trial criticized Trump’s legal team for violating a gag order, threatening contempt charges. The trial, which focuses on a $130,000 hush-money payment to porn actor Stormy Daniels, is expected to test the limits of the legal system and Trump’s political reflexes.

Former President Donald Trump criticized the ongoing gag order in his New York hush money trial, claiming it restricts his ability to defend himself while allowing others to make unchallenged accusations against him.

Former US President Donald Trump has asserted that security measures have hindered thousands of his supporters from attending his hush money trial in Manhattan. However, observers have noted only a small number of Trump supporters present, and the courthouse remains open to the public. Despite tight security due to the high-profile nature of the trial, individuals can assemble across the street in a park. Trump has previously exaggerated crowd sizes and may be attempting to counter reports expressing his disappointment with the level of support during the trial, which involves unprecedented criminal charges related to hush money payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign.

Former President Trump’s trial on charges of falsifying business records related to hush money payments to alleged mistresses has sparked debate over prosecutorial overreach. Some argue that the payments, while unethical, are not illegal and should not be elevated to felony charges. However, prosecutors maintain that the misrepresentation of the payments constitutes a crime. The case highlights the practice of powerful individuals using cash settlements and non-disclosure agreements to silence potential scandals.

Manhattan prosecutors accuse former President Trump of violating a gag order 10 times since April 1, which prohibits him from attacking witnesses, prosecutors, and judges in his hush money case. The order stems from allegations that Trump paid off a porn actor to prevent an alleged affair from becoming public before the 2016 election. Prosecutors are requesting a fine of $1,000 for each violation, totaling $10,000. The alleged violations include attacks on Trump’s former attorney Michael Cohen and porn star Stormy Daniels, who Cohen paid off on Trump’s behalf. The hearing on the gag order concluded on Tuesday morning, but Judge Juan Merchan has not yet issued a ruling.