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A erstwhile tabloid steadfast and cardinal witnesser for the prosecution testified that helium purchased stories astir nonrecreational golfer Tiger Woods, erstwhile Obama main of unit Rahm Emanuel, among others during questioning by defence attorneys for erstwhile President Trump.
Prosecutors from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s bureau brought David Pecker, their archetypal witness, to the basal for the 3rd time Thursday.
Pecker is the erstwhile CEO of American Media Inc., the genitor institution of publications specified arsenic the National Enquirer, who has known Trump stretching backmost to the 1980s. Prosecutors allege that Pecker worked intimately with the Trump run to hide antagonistic accusation astir Trump up of the 2016 election. Trump is accused of falsifying records related to the alleged "catch and kill" scheme.
David Pecker is questioned during erstwhile U.S. President Donald Trump's transgression proceedings connected charges that helium falsified concern records to conceal wealth paid to soundlessness porn prima Stormy Daniels successful 2016, successful Manhattan authorities tribunal successful New York City, U.S. April 23, 2024 successful this courtroom sketch. (REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg )
Pecker testified that helium purchased antagonistic stories astir Trump earlier the 2016 predetermination and did not people them — known arsenic a "catch and kill" scheme. The stories included allegations from big movie histrion Stormy Daniels and Playboy exemplary Karen McDougal astir affairs with Trump.
With respect to antagonistic stories coming retired astir Trump earlier the election, Pecker testified that Trump was acrophobic astir what his household would accidental astir it, specifically astir however it would interaction his woman Melania Trump and girl Ivanka Trump.
Tiger Woods of the United States plays his changeable from the 13th tee during the 2nd circular of THE PLAYERS Championship connected the Stadium Course astatine TPC Sawgrass connected May 11, 2018 successful Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
Pecker besides testified that Trump was acrophobic astir what the interaction would beryllium connected his run successful 2016.
But nether cross-examination by Trump defence lawyer Emil Bove, Pecker testified helium purchased stories astir different high-profile individuals too Trump.
Pecker testified helium purchased a communicative astir nonrecreational golfer Tiger Woods, and a communicative astir Rahm Emanuel successful 2009 aft helium near the Obama White House. Pecker said helium purchased the communicative astir an alleged matter Emanuel had truthful that it would not beryllium published. Emanuel besides aboriginal served arsenic ambassador to Japan.
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Pecker besides testified that helium worked with Trump lawyer Michael Cohen successful his capableness arsenic the erstwhile president’s idiosyncratic lawyer — not arsenic portion of the 2016 campaign.
U.S. Ambassador to Japan, Rahm Emanuel, speaks during his sojourn to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ F-35 combatant pitchy last assembly and inspection works successful Toyoyama, Aichi prefecture, occidental Japan, Tuesday, April 16, 2024. (U.S. Embassy via AP)
Pecker testified that American Media Inc., the proprietor of the National Enquirer, testified that earlier purchasing stories, the institution would vet them for truthfulness. He besides testified that determination were instances AMI would acquisition a communicative to usage arsenic leverage.
When asked if this was standard, Pecker testified: "Yes."
Pecker besides said Thursday that Trump "was my mentor."
Michael Cohen, erstwhile idiosyncratic lawyer to US President Donald Trump, right, extracurricular national tribunal successful New York, US, connected Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023. (Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
"He helped maine passim my career," Pecker said, saying Trump was often the first idiosyncratic to telephone him erstwhile helium needed help.
"Even though we haven’t spoken, I inactive considered him a friend," Pecker said.
David Pecker, seat and CEO of American Media, speaks astatine the Shape and Men's Fitness Super Bowl Party successful New York City, U.S., January 31, 2014. (REUTERS/Marion Curtis/File Photo)
Bragg charged Trump with 34 counts of falsifying concern records successful the archetypal degree. Bragg alleges that Trump ex-attorney Michael Cohen orchestrated hush wealth payments to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal to forestall them from sharing their stories astir alleged affairs with Trump. Bragg is trying to beryllium that Trump was alert of those payments, and allegedly falsified records of payments to Cohen arsenic "legal expenses" alternatively than repayments for the hush money.
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Trump has pleaded not blameworthy to each counts and told Fox News Digital successful an exclusive interrogation connected Thursday that helium was simply paying Cohen ineligible fees due to the fact that Cohen was his lawyer.
Bragg besides alleged American Media Inc., which Pecker was the CEO of, allegedly employed the "catch and kill" strategy to hide stories — specifically Karen McDougal's. Bragg and prosecutors sought to person the assemblage that Pecker's enactment to bash this was made with the blessing of Trump's 2016 campaign.
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Pecker, though, testified that helium worked with Cohen successful his capableness arsenic Trump's idiosyncratic attorney.
Pecker's cross-examination is expected to proceed Friday morning.
Brooke Singman is simply a governmental analogous and newsman for Fox News Digital, Fox News Channel and FOX Business.
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