In a significant development in former President Donald Trump’s hush money trial, the prosecution is expected to call publisher David Pecker, chair of AMI (parent company of the National Enquirer), as its first witness. Former Defense Department special counsel Ryan Goodman anticipates that Pecker’s testimony will be explosive, providing ‘dynamite evidence’ of Trump’s alleged attempts to cover up rumored affairs and manipulate the outcome of the 2016 presidential election.
Pecker is expected to disclose a meeting with Trump at Trump Tower and later at the White House during Trump’s presidency. Goodman highlights this meeting as crucial evidence of a connection between the hush money scheme and efforts to influence the election.
Prosecutors allege that Trump paid or discussed payments to two women, Karen McDougal and Stormy Daniels, to silence their claims of affairs with Trump. The prosecution also asserts that AMI purchased the rights to a story from a former Trump Tower doorman who claimed Trump fathered a child with another woman.
Trump has denied all these allegations and has stated he is the victim of a political witch hunt. Despite Trump’s denials, Pecker has been granted immunity from prosecution in exchange for his testimony. Goodman emphasizes that Pecker’s statement of agreed facts, which acknowledges a meeting with Trump’s attorney in 2015, further strengthens the prosecution’s case.
The trial is expected to commence with opening statements on Monday, with Pecker likely called as the initial witness. Goodman’s assertion of ‘dynamite evidence’ suggests that Pecker’s testimony could be pivotal in shaping the trajectory of the trial.
