Trump Hush Money Trial: Pecker Testifies on “Catch and Kill,” Daniels, Cohen Payments

Lawyers for Donald Trump began cross-examining former National Enquirer CEO David Pecker on Thursday afternoon during the ex-CEO’s third day of testimony in Trump’s New York criminal hush money trial. The questioning commenced towards the end of Pecker’s appearance, where he was grilled by Manhattan prosecutors about his involvement in “catch and kill” schemes that favoured then presidential candidate Donald Trump during 2016 elections. Earlier on Thursday, however, Pecker testified that he refused to pay porn star Stormy Daniels for her story of allegedly having sex with the former president because as he stated “I am not a bank”. His publishing company had already spent $30,000 in support of another damaging claim about Trump and $150,000 on ex-Playboy model Karen McDougal. Pecker’s refusal to pay Daniels came after then attorney Michael Cohen requested that he acquire her story for $120,000 before burying it in a “catch and kill” scheme aimed at silencing negative news about Trump during the 2016 presidential elections – Cohen reportedly did so later. When cross-examining Pecker regarding this refusal, defence lawyer Susan Necheles pointed out that he had previously agreed to buy McDougal’s story for $150,00 in return for making it “go away” prior the 2016 election because American Media believed she was telling the truth. Trump has been charged with falsifying business records as part of a scheme aimed at influencing the outcome of the presidential elections by buying Daniel’s silence to the tune of $130,00 using his own money after Cohen had made the initial request for payment. Pecker further revealed that he believed Trump would reimburse him if American Media bought McDougal’s story. Trump had purportedly directed American Media – under direction by now President-elect Donald J. Trump – to purchase Karen McDougal’s silence during a phone call in June 2016, Pecker stated on Thursday as well that “we didn’t want the [Stormy Daniels’] story to embarrass Mr. Trump or embarrass or hurt the campaign”. The former CEO also testified regarding Cohen – whom he claimed complained about being unreimbursed for payment made in relation to Stormy Daniels’ silence, and who Pecker said had told him “don’t worry I am your friend — the boss will take care of it” when requesting that American Media buy McDougal’s story. The trial is expected to last six weeks with opening statements having been delivered on Monday.