David Pecker, the former president and CEO of American Media Inc., has been a key figure in the ongoing criminal trial of former US President Donald Trump. Pecker, who was accused of involvement in the practice of “catch and kill” to buy exclusive stories to prevent them from appearing in other publications, testified in court on Monday, providing insight into the Trump campaign’s efforts to kill unflattering stories.
But who is David Pecker, and what role did he play in the Trump campaign’s efforts to silence negative stories? In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Pecker’s background, his involvement in the Trump campaign, and what his testimony could mean for the outcome of the trial.
Background on David Pecker
David Pecker was the president and CEO of American Media Inc., the parent company of the National Enquirer, from 1999 until 2019. During his tenure, the National Enquirer became known for its sensationalized stories and its close ties to Trump.
Pecker and Trump had a long-standing relationship, with Trump frequently appearing on the cover of the National Enquirer and using the publication to promote his political campaign. In fact, as my colleague David Corn wrote in a terrific curtain-raiser last week, Trump pumped up his image as a swinger who viewed women as trophies and toys, with their value dependent on their looks. The Stormy Daniels case snugly fits into this narrative: Trump was a player who apparently cheated on his wife (a new mother) with a porn star.
The “Catch and Kill” Practice
Prosecutors have accused Pecker and the National Enquirer of engaging in the practice of “catch and kill” to buy exclusive stories to prevent them from appearing in other publications. This practice involved paying for stories that were unflattering to Trump and then killing them to prevent them from being published.
Pecker confirmed this practice in his testimony, stating that the National Enquirer used “checkbook journalism” and paid for stories. He also admitted that he and the magazine’s editor conspired with Trump to prevent Daniels from going public with her allegation right before Election Day in 2016. This resulted in the $130,000 hush-money payoff to her, which was falsely recorded on the Trump Organization books as a legal expense—which is the basis of the criminal case against Trump.
Pecker’s Testimony
Pecker’s testimony provided new insight into the Trump campaign’s efforts to silence negative stories. He revealed that Trump was personally involved in the “catch and kill” practice, and that he and the National Enquirer worked closely with Trump to prevent unflattering stories from being published.
Pecker also testified that he and Trump had a close relationship, and that Trump had asked him to kill stories that were unflattering to him. He also stated that he had been subpoenaed by prosecutors and had provided them with documents and testimony related to the criminal case against Trump.
What Does Pecker’s Testimony Mean for the Trial?
Pecker’s testimony could be a game-changer in the trial of former US President Donald Trump. It provides new evidence of Trump’s involvement in the “catch and kill” practice, and could help prosecutors build a case against Trump for falsifying business records related to hush-money payments allegedly made in 2016 to cover up an affair he had with adult film star Stormy Daniels.
Pecker’s testimony also highlights the close relationship between Trump and the National Enquirer, and raises questions about the role of the media in promoting Trump’s political campaign.
It’s clear that the National Enquirer played a key role in Trump’s efforts to silence negative stories, and that Pecker and Trump had a close relationship that went beyond the typical publisher-politician relationship.
