David Pecker, the former CEO of American Media Inc., the parent company of the National Enquirer, testified as a key witness for the prosecution in the trial of former President Trump. Prosecutors allege that Pecker worked with the Trump campaign to bury negative stories about Trump ahead of the 2016 election. Pecker testified that he engaged in a “catch and kill” scheme, purchasing negative stories about Trump before the election and not publishing them. This included stories from adult film actress Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal about affairs with Trump.
During his testimony, Pecker revealed that Trump was concerned about the impact negative stories would have on his family, particularly his wife Melania and daughter Ivanka, as well as on his 2016 campaign. However, under cross-examination by Trump’s defense attorney, Pecker admitted to purchasing stories about other high-profile individuals, including professional golfer Tiger Woods and former Obama chief of staff Rahm Emanuel. Pecker purchased a story alleging an affair by Emanuel in 2009 in order to prevent its publication.
Pecker also testified about his relationship with Trump, describing him as a mentor who helped him throughout his career. He stated that Trump would often be the first person to call him when he needed help and that he still considered Trump a friend, despite not having spoken to him recently. Pecker also disclosed that he worked with Trump attorney Michael Cohen in his capacity as Trump’s personal attorney, not as part of the 2016 campaign.
The charges against Trump include 34 counts of falsifying business records in the first degree. Prosecutors allege that Cohen orchestrated hush money payments to Daniels and McDougal to prevent them from sharing their stories of affairs with Trump. They argue that Trump was aware of these payments and falsified records of payments to Cohen as legal expenses rather than hush money repayments. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all counts and claims he was simply paying Cohen for legal fees.
During Pecker’s testimony, prosecutors sought to convince the jury that his practice of burying stories, such as McDougal’s, was done with the approval of Trump’s 2016 campaign. Pecker, however, maintained that he was working with Cohen in his capacity as Trump’s personal attorney, not as part of the campaign. The trial is ongoing, with Pecker’s cross-examination expected to continue. Overall, the testimony shed light on the relationship between Pecker, Trump, and Cohen, as well as the alleged efforts to suppress negative stories about Trump before the 2016 election.
