In the criminal hush money trial against former President Donald Trump, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s decision to call David Pecker as the first witness is seen as a smart move. Pecker’s testimony provides a comprehensive overview of the prosecution’s case, alleging that Trump falsified business records to conceal hush money payments made prior to the 2016 presidential election.
U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell criticizes former Fox News host Tucker Carlson for his influence on Republican opposition to a bipartisan foreign aid bill supporting Ukraine. McConnell asserts that Carlson’s coverage of the January 6th capitol riot and his interview with Russian President Vladimir Putin contributed to a widespread belief among Republicans that aiding Ukraine was misguided.
Legal analyst Lisa Rubin finds humor in David Pecker’s testimony in Trump’s hush money trial, particularly his description of Trump as “one of the world’s most eligible bachelors,” despite being married at the time. Rubin suggests that the motivation behind the hush money payments was not to protect Trump’s family but to enhance his chances of winning the presidency.
Vanity Fair’s Bess Levin questions Fox News host Jesse Watters’ understanding of basic courtroom procedures and his excessive praise for Trump during the former president’s hush money trial. Levin points out that Watters’ comments regarding limitations on Trump’s freedom of speech and movement are inaccurate and that his comparison of Trump’s treatment to that of detainees at Guantanamo Bay is absurd.