NEW YORK (NewsNation) — Jurors heard more witness testimony from a veteran tabloid publisher Thursday as former President Donald Trump faces a looming decision over whether he violated a gag order in his hush money trial.
David Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer and longtime Trump ally, will resume the third day of his testimony after confessing his magazine used “checkbook journalism” to pay off sources with unsavory stories about Trump.
David Pecker testimony
On Tuesday, Pecker admitted that his job was to “catch and kill” bad press centered on Trump, including allegations of affairs and children born out of wedlock.
He admitted that the scheme was conducted with Trump and Michael Cohen, Trump’s former attorney and fixer, where he would publish flattering stories about Trump, purchase and kill negative ones, and publish disparaging headlines about Trump’s then-political opponents.
As the prosecution’s first witness, Pecker’s testimony bolstered the theory at the heart of the state’s case — that Trump and his allies attempted to influence the outcome of the 2016 election by burying bad news about Trump while elevating wild claims that were embarrassing to his political opponents.
Pecker described purchasing the rights to former Playboy model Karen McDougal’s story that she had a monthslong affair with Trump. When asked what he did when he first learned about McDougal’s allegations, Pecker said: “I called Michael Cohen.”
Trump’s attorneys began Pecker’s cross-examination Thursday afternoon.
Will Stormy Daniels take the stand?
The case revolves around payments made to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, aimed at concealing an alleged sexual encounter with Trump, who was then a presidential candidate in the 2016 election.
Daniels is expected to take the witness stand this week. However, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg hasn’t yet addressed the $130,000 payment at the center of the case. Analysts expect that line of questioning to begin Thursday.
Did Trump violate his gag order?
Prosecutors want Judge Juan Merchan to hold Trump in contempt for allegedly violating a gag order 10 times, including eight posts on Truth Social and two on his campaign website.
Merchan’s decision could come down Thursday.
If Trump is found in contempt, he could be fined $1,000 for each violation, sent to jail — which is unlikely — or receive a stern warning to stop.
What happens if Trump is convicted?
Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records and arranging hush money payments to Daniels. These payments were allegedly aimed at concealing a sexual encounter Trump is accused of having with Daniels.
The charges center on a $130,000 payment allegedly made through Cohen shortly before the 2016 election.
Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and said he will testify if needed.
The charges are punishable by up to four years in prison — though it’s unclear if the judge would seek to put Trump behind bars. A conviction would not preclude Trump from becoming president again, but because it is a state case, he wouldn’t be able to pardon himself if found guilty.
The Hill and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
