Trump trial: David Pecker details 'catch and kill' strategy in hush money case

There were more revelations today from the former publisher of the National Enquirer. David Pecker is the prosecution’s first witness at former President Donald Trump’s trial. A longtime friend of Trump, Pecker described how he agreed to suppress negative stories about Trump. His catch and kill strategy involved paying sources for negative stories about Trump to take them off the market so they’d never run. Neu Garcha is at the courthouse in New York. Nitu. Yeah, that’s right, Donna. The testimony today from the man known as the tabloid King shed light on the murky origins of Trump’s path from political newcomer to president of the United States. The former National Enquirer publisher testified about how he agreed to help Trump. Pecker told the court. I said I would be your eyes and ears, he testified. Trump’s former lawyer Michael Cohen would call him and suggest a negative article to run about political opponents. Referring to Cohen, Pecker said, quote, he would send me information about Ted Cruz or about Ben Carson or Marco Rubio, and that was the basis of our story and then we would embellish it. I think cross examination is going to be telling. So far, these have just been softball questions. Before testimony resumed Tuesday, arguments were heard in the allegations the former president violated A gag order. I’d love to talk to you people. I’d love to see everything that’s on my mind, but I’m restricted because I have a gag on it. I don’t see how he’s complaining about the gag order when he’s violated it. At every possible turn. Trump has violated the order banning him from publicly attacking witnesses and jurors multiple times. After his lawyer argued Trump is trying hard to comply with the order, the judge blasted the attorney, saying you’re losing all credibility with this court. No ruling was issued and the judge didn’t indicate when he would. The case is a sham. Trump disappointed at the low turn out of support outside once again. Encourage people to protest peacefully outside the court for great Americans, people that want to come down and they want to protest at the court. And they want to protest peacefully. Any mass protests he may have envisioned have failed to materialize. And on Thursday, the Supreme Court is set to hear the ex president’s immunity claim over his efforts to undo his 2020 election laws. As this courtroom saga continues to draw attention and potentially the broader political narrative ahead of the 2024 election. Donna Nathan Garcia in New York, thanks.