Pecker Reveals Desire to Keep Tabloid’s Agreement with Trump ‘Quiet’

Former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker testified on Tuesday in the hush money trial of Donald Trump, revealing shocking details about the former president’s involvement in a scheme to bury negative stories that could harm his political aspirations. Pecker testified that he offered to be the “eyes and ears” of Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, providing advance notice of allegations and negative stories. This led to an agreement to give Trump’s personal lawyer, Michael Cohen, information to buy up and spike negative stories.

Pecker elaborated on how the tabloid ran negative stories about Trump’s opponents and even paid for a doorman’s silence after he came forward with allegations that Trump had fathered a child. The trial also revealed that the National Enquirer ran polls about a potential Trump presidential bid, further implicating the tabloid in Trump’s political ambitions.

The prosecution painted a picture of Trump as someone who sought to corrupt the 2016 election for his own benefit, while the defense argued that Trump was merely protecting his family, reputation, and brand. The trial, which is the first criminal trial of a former American president, has captured national attention and is set to continue with more testimonies and evidence being presented.