Staff Reports
The former CEO of a tabloid company testified for three days in former President Donald Trump’s hush money case in New York. David Pecker, who was the head of the National Enquirer’s parent company, American Media, Inc., was a key part of the Manhattan District Attorney’s case against Trump. Prosecutors claimed Pecker was part of a “catch-and-kill” scheme with Trump and his former attorney Michael Cohen, paying sources through nondisclosure agreements not to go to other outlets with damaging stories about Trump. Pecker would then decline to publish the sources’ story, effectively suppressing negative information about Trump in an election year.
Pecker testified that he sought to help Trump in 2016 but also used his tabloid prowess to help other public figures too. Prosecutors highlighted two payments Pecker made on behalf of Trump to kill stories, including a $150,000 payment to former Playboy model Karen McDougal. Pecker revealed that during negotiations, ABC tried to persuade McDougal to come to its network with her story, even offering her a spot on Dancing with the Stars.
However, the defense highlighted during cross-examination that Pecker also paid to suppress stories for others, suggesting that his involvement with Trump was not unique. Pecker testified that he also paid $20,000 to quash a negative story about Rahm Emanuel, former President Barack Obama’s chief of staff, and reached a “catch-and-kill” agreement with actor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
During prosecutors’ questioning, Pecker read a text to the court that he wrote in 2016, expressing that Trump would be “furious” if Pecker did not agree to suppress an affair allegation made by porn star Stormy Daniels. Despite this, Pecker testified that he viewed Trump as his “mentor” and still considered him a friend, indicating that his relationship with Trump was still positive.
Pecker has no ill feeling against Trump. He views Trump as his mentor. Mentioned anthrax incident. Trump called to provide help. Pecker said that even though they have not spoken, he still considers Trump a friend. #trump
— Terri Austin (@Terridaustin) April 25, 2024
