During David Pecker’s testimony on the third day of the hush money trial against former President Donald Trump, he provided crucial details that formed the basis of the prosecutors’ case. Pecker walked the jury through events surrounding payments to Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about an alleged affair with Trump, as well as interactions with Karen McDougal, a Playboy model who also claimed to have had a relationship with Trump. Pecker detailed his communication with Michael Cohen and Trump regarding these payments, shedding light on Trump’s involvement in the process.
Pecker’s testimony focused on his concerns about the legality of the deals involving Trump and the potential legal liability for paying for stories related to a political candidate. He revealed that he and a lawyer decided not to seek repayment from Trump for the payment to McDougal to protect themselves and Trump. Despite lying to The Wall Street Journal about the agreement with McDougal, Pecker maintained that his actions were intended to safeguard the interests of his company, himself, and Trump.
Notably, Pecker testified that Trump had a keen interest in obtaining old boxes of materials and files held by the National Enquirer, indicating Trump’s fixation on controlling potentially damaging information. Trump’s inquiries about McDougal and her well-being were brought up by Pecker, who recounted Trump’s eagerness to stay informed about the situation. Pecker also detailed Trump’s attempts to influence Enquirer content, underscoring Trump’s involvement in manipulating media narratives.
Pecker’s testimony revealed the steps taken to conceal the payments made to McDougal, highlighting efforts to avoid implicating the Trump Organization. Despite Cohen’s persistence in pushing for payments, Pecker expressed reluctance, indicating that he was weary of continuing to make financial transactions on Trump’s behalf. The defense attempted to question Pecker’s memory and motives, suggesting that prosecutors influenced his recollection of events and pointing to inconsistencies in his statements about past dealings.
Throughout Pecker’s testimony, jurors showed varying levels of interest, with avid notetaking during discussions of Stormy Daniels but less enthusiasm during accounts of payments to McDougal. The prosecution alleged that Trump violated the gag order multiple times during the trial, prompting the judge to consider whether Trump’s statements outside the courtroom constituted breaches. Pecker’s revelations shed light on the complex web of payments and relationships involving Trump, providing key insights into the case against the former president.
