- Former National Enquirer editor David Pecker to testify Monday
- Pecker helped Trump ‘catch and remove’ damaging stories about him during his presidential campaign
- Her testimony will resurface details of Trump’s alleged affairs and the deals his allies made to keep them quiet.
Former National Enquirer editor David Pecker will be the first witness during former President Donald Trump’s trial in New York, which resumes Monday, according to the New York Times.
Pecker is a central figure in the case after he alerted Trump lawyer Michael Cohen about Stormy Daniels and her plan to reveal her claims about an alleged affair with Trump in 2006.
Pecker alerted Trump in October 2016 about Daniel’s affair, but ultimately reached a $130,000 nondisclosure agreement with Trump’s attorney, Michael Cohen.
Pecker’s testimony will help jurors understand how he helped Trump suppress damaging stories about him.
Prosecutors will question Pecker about his personal friendship with Trump and his efforts to help him “capture and eliminate” negative stories about him during the presidential campaign.
Pecker is expected to detail how he worked with Trump and his personal attorney Michael Cohen to negotiate settlements.
Prosecutors allege that Pecker directed his company to pay a Trump Tower doorman who was promoting a dubious story about a “love son” Trump had fathered.
Pecker also ordered a payment to former Playboy Playmate Karen McDougal to restrain her. claims of a long relationship with Trump.
The case is expected to bring details of Trump’s alleged affairs back to public consciousness ahead of the 2024 election.
Prosecutors charged Trump with 34 felony counts of falsifying business documents to cover up hush money.
Trump has repeatedly denied the matters and has pleaded not guilty to the charges.