Robert Tavares

April 25, 2024 - 06:45 am

David Pecker, the former CEO of American Media Inc., which owns the National Enquirer, testified again in the ongoing trial of former President Donald Trump. Trump is charged with manipulating business records to conceal alleged extramarital affairs, posing a threat to his 2016 presidential campaign.

During his testimony, Pecker detailed the transformation of a once Trump-friendly tabloid into a political tool used to suppress damaging stories through a tactic known as "catch and kill," while disseminating negative portrayals of his political rivals, all orchestrated by Trump’s closest aides.

The Formation of the 'Catch and Kill' Strategy Pecker recounted an initial meeting at Trump Tower in August 2015, where he was introduced to the "catch and kill" strategy. Unaware of the meeting's purpose, he was briefed by Trump, Michael Cohen, and Hope Hicks on how his tabloid could assist Trump's presidential campaign. Pecker agreed to publish favorable stories about Trump and unfavorable ones about his rivals, and to alert Cohen about any harmful stories about Trump that could be acquired and suppressed.

Secrecy and Media Manipulation Pecker emphasized his intention to keep their arrangement confidential to avoid public knowledge that the National Enquirer was supporting Trump's campaign. This strategy was also profitable, boosting the tabloid's sales.

Targeting Political Adversaries Negative articles were strategically placed against Trump’s competitors in the Republican primary, such as Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, and Ben Carson, as well as against Hillary Clinton in the general election. Stories about Bill Clinton's indiscretions were particularly popular, which the tabloid used to depict Hillary Clinton in a negative light.

The Case of Karen McDougal Pecker also discussed Karen McDougal, a former Playboy model who claimed an affair with Trump in 2006. Despite doubts about the veracity of her story, Pecker deployed Dylan Howard, the then-editor of the National Enquirer, to interview her. Trump, upon Pecker’s advice, considered purchasing her story to prevent its publication.

Unsubstantiated Claims and Legal Precautions Another incident involved Dino Sajudin, a former doorman who alleged that Trump had fathered a child out of wedlock. Although the claim was quickly disproved, Pecker purchased the rights to the story for $30,000 due to its potential to embarrass Trump during his campaign.

Pecker’s testimony highlights the intricate relationship between Trump’s campaign and the National Enquirer, showcasing the lengths to which the publication went to protect and promote Trump’s presidential ambitions.

For more detailed accounts and updates on this trial, you can visit major news websites like CNN, The New York Times, or The Washington Post.