- Former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker is scheduled to testify Monday
- Pecker helped Trump ‘capture and kill’ damaging stories about him during his presidential campaign
- His testimony will resurface details of Trump’s alleged dealings and the deals his allies made to keep them quiet
Former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker will be the first witness during the trial of former President Donald Trump in New York, which resumes Monday, according to the newspaper. New York Times.
Pecker is a central figure in the case after alerting Trump’s lawyer Michael Cohen about Stormy Daniels and her plan to go public with her claims about an alleged affair with Trump in 2006.
Pecker warned Trump about Daniel’s affair in October 2016, but she ultimately settled a $130,000 non-disclosure agreement with Trump’s attorney Michael Cohen.
Pecker’s testimony will help jurors understand how he helped Trump destroy damaging stories about him
Prosecutors will question Pecker about her personal friendship with Trump and his efforts to help him “catch and kill” negative stories about him during the presidential campaign.
Pecker is expected to detail how he worked with Trump and his personal lawyer Michael Cohen to make deals.
Prosecutors allege Pecker directed his company to pay a Trump Tower doorman who was peddling a dubious story about a “love child” Trump had fathered.
Pecker also sent a payment to former Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal to suppress her claims of a long-term affair with Trump.
The case is expected to bring the details of Trump’s alleged affairs back into the public consciousness before the 2024 election.
Prosecutors have charged Trump with 34 felonies for falsifying business documents to cover up hush money payments.
Trump has repeatedly denied the cases and has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
