Pecker's Testimony and Legal Battles Collide
As Donald Trump campaigned for president in 2016, his longtime friend at the National Enquirer, David Pecker, was busy acquiring potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying them off to keep them hidden. However, when it came to Stormy Daniels' claims, Pecker refused to participate. He testified that he told Trump's lawyer, Michael Cohen, "I am not paying for this story."
Pecker's testimony was crucial for the prosecution, who argued that their partnership was an illegal attempt to influence the election. Trump's lawyers challenged Pecker's memory and suggested his account had changed over time.
Meanwhile, Trump faced other legal challenges. The Supreme Court heard arguments over his claim of immunity from prosecution while president, stemming from his efforts to overturn the 2020 election. The justices seemed likely to reject his claim, but the trial could be delayed beyond the November election.
Trump also faced a contempt hearing for violating a gag order in the hush money case, indictments for his associates in a 2020 election scheme, and a $83.3 million judgment in a defamation case.
Despite these challenges, Trump has a history of emerging unscathed from legal battles. The Supreme Court's decision on presidential immunity will have lasting implications, but it may not impact the New York case, which focuses on Trump's actions as a candidate.
Trump maintains his innocence and calls the charges a "political witch hunt." The hush money trial continues, with Pecker's testimony painting a picture of a publication used to suppress negative stories about Trump and smear his opponents.