Former President Donald Trump praised former tabloid publisher David Pecker, the first witness in the Manhattan trial, as a “good man” ahead of court Thursday.
President Trump met with construction workers in the city early Thursday morning and told the media: “He was very nice. David was very nice. He’s a good guy.”
Pecker is the prosecution team’s first witness in the New York v. Trump case, in which the 45th president faces 34 charges of falsifying business records.
Mr. Pecker is the former CEO of American Media, the parent company of publications such as the National Enquirer, and his relationship with Mr. Trump dates back to the 1980s. The former media publisher took the stand earlier this week and testified about a “catch-and-kill scheme” to cover up negative information about President Trump ahead of the 2016 election.
Live updates: Trump New York trial testimony resumes as Supreme Court hears immunity claim
Former U.S. president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump leaves Trump Tower on April 22, 2024, in New York to attend trial on charges that he concealed hush money payments related to an extramarital affair. Donald Trump’s unprecedented criminal trial concludes on Friday with opening statements scheduled after the final jury, with the Republican presidential nominee facing weeks of hostile testimony and a difficult time campaigning for the White House. will cast a shadow on (Charlie Tribarrow/AFP via Getty Images)
A “catch and kill” scheme is understood as a tactic used by media outlets and publishers to purchase the rights to an individual’s articles with no intention of publishing them. The New York v. Trump case specifically focuses on the 13 years Trump’s former personal attorney gave former porn actress Stormy Daniels in 2016 to silence her claims that she had an affair with Trump in 2006. It revolves around payments of millions of dollars.
Supreme Court to hear arguments in President Trump’s immunity lawsuit
David Pecker will be questioned in former President Donald Trump’s criminal trial on charges that he falsified business records to hide money he paid to hush porn star Stormy Daniels in 2016. This courtroom sketch at the Manhattan State Courthouse on April 23, 2024 in New York City, USA. (Reuters/Jane Rosenberg)
Pecker testified Thursday that he first heard Daniels’ claims about a sexual relationship with Trump after the infamous “Access Hollywood” tape was unearthed before the 2016 election. Pecker said Daniels had sold the rights to her article for $120,000. Media companies couldn’t afford it.
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David Pecker, Chairman and CEO of American Media, speaks at the Shape and Men’s Fitness Super Bowl Party in New York City, USA, January 31, 2014. Reuters/Marion・Curtis/File Photo (Reuters)
“I’m not a bank,” Pecker said of the tipping and sale of Daniels’ story to National Enquirer editor Dylan Howard. Mr. Howard then told Mr. Pecker that he intended to contact Mr. Cohen about the matter, Mr. Pecker said.
Prosecutors allege that Mr. Trump fraudulently recorded reimbursements to his personal attorney for legal fees after Mr. Cohen paid Mr. Daniels in exchange for keeping quiet about the affair allegations. Prosecutors in the case are trying to prove that Trump falsified his business records in “facilitation of another crime.” The prosecutor’s office said the other charge was a violation of New York state law that prohibits “conspiracy to promote or prevent an election.”
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A courtroom sketch depicts the third day of former President Donald Trump’s criminal trial Thursday, April 18, 2024, in Manhattan Criminal Court. Jury selection in the hush money scandal continues after two jurors were dismissed earlier today. (Kristin Cornell)
At the same time as Thursday’s hearing, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in another Trump case, special counsel Jack Smith’s election interference charges. In this case, Trump was charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States. Conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding. Obstructing or attempting to interfere with an official proceeding. and conspiracy against rights. The incident stems from the invasion of the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters on January 6, 2021.
The Supreme Court is currently considering whether Trump has presidential immunity in this case.
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President Trump told reporters, “There’s a big case today. This judge won’t allow me to appear, but today there’s a big case before the Supreme Court regarding presidential immunity.” He mentioned that he is considering exemption. Special Counsel Jack Smith’s immunity from prosecution in election interference case.
“The president must have immunity,” he added. “Without immunity, we just have a ceremonial president.”
“We want Trump,” supporters of the president said during the event.
