Former Media Executive Details Trump’s Attempts to Suppress News of Extramarital Affairs
TL/DR –
David Pecker, the former owner of the National Enquirer, testified in a New York court case that he helped keep Donald Trump’s affairs out of the news before the 2016 presidential election. Trump is facing 34 felony counts of falsifying business records for authorizing hush money paid to adult actress Stormy Daniels and Playboy model Karen McDougal, who both claimed to have had affairs with Trump. Prosecutors have also alleged new violations of a gag order, accusing Trump of making disparaging or intimidating remarks against witnesses, jurors, and other trial participants.
David Pecker Testimony on Trump’s Sexual Affairs Cover-up
On Thursday, April 25, David Pecker, former owner of the National Enquirer, concluded his third day of testimony revealing how he concealed one of Donald Trump’s sexual affairs from the public shortly before the 2016 Presidential election.
The New York state hush money case, in which Pecker is testifying, is one of several facing the former president, and the first to be tried. Trump is charged with 34 felony counts for falsifying business records for hush money paid to adult actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election. Daniels claimed the two had an affair in 2006. Trump’s lawyer, Michael Cohen, made the payment and was reimbursed by Trump under the guise of “legal expenses.”
Final Day of Testimony: Pecker Details Discussions
On his final day of testimony, Pecker detailed the discussions leading American Media to buy the silence of Playboy model Karen McDougal, who also alleged an affair with Trump in the mid-2000s. Pecker’s company declined to pay Daniels, resulting in Trump’s lawyer, Michael Cohen, making a $130,000 payment for her silence.
New Gag Order Violations Alleged
Prosecutors also urged the judge to hold Trump in contempt for alleged new violations of a gag order. New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan has scheduled a hearing on May 3, for prosecutors to present their arguments on these additional violations. The violations are based on accusations that Trump continues to make disparaging or intimidating conduct against witnesses, jurors, and other trial participants. Justice Merchan is yet to rule on the violations of the existing gag order.
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