Donald Trump’s hush money trial: Day one recap from inside courtroom
Donald Trump’s hush money trial is now underway with prosecutors and the defense presenting opening arguments to a 12-person jury.
NEW YORK — David Pecker, the former chief executive of American Media Inc., the parent of company of National Enquirer, testified that Enquirer Editor-in-Chief Dylan Howard believed porn star Stormy Daniels’ allegation of an affair with Donald Trump on Thursday.
As part of his testimony in Trump’s New York criminal hush money trial about an alleged scheme to “catch and kill” stories that could embarrass Trump ahead of the 2016 presidential election, Pecker also testified that Trump described Karen McDougal − a Playboy model who alleged an affair with Trump − as “a nice girl.” Trump denies the affair allegations.
The former president faces 34 charges of falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments made by his former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen.
Keep up with USA TODAY’s live updates from inside and outside the Manhattan courtroom:
Pecker said that as part of a September 2018 non-prosecution agreement that American Media Inc. entered into with federal prosecutors, Pecker reviewed a statement of facts having to do with things Pecker says the company did for Trump ahead of the 2016 election. The agreement required the company and its representatives to cooperate and give truthful testimony and information. In return, it would be protected from criminal prosecution for campaign finance violations.
As part of that agreement, the company made several admissions, Pecker confirmed.
– Aysha Bagchi
Pecker testified that Trump called him and asked if he saw Stormy Daniels’ interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper. Daniels did that interview after McDougal did an interview with Cooper.
Trump told Pecker there was an agreement with Daniels that she cannot mention his name or do anything like this, and each time she breaches the agreement it’s a $1 million penalty, Pecker testified. Trump added that, based on the Cooper interview, Daniels owed Trump $24 million.
– Aysha Bagchi
David Pecker said Trump called him and asked if he had seen an interview between CNN journalist Anderson Cooper and Karen McDougal. Pecker confirmed he had, and Trump said he thought there was an agreement that McDougal couldn’t give interviews or be on television shows. Pecker said he amended it to allow her to speak to the press.
“Mr. Trump got very aggravated,” Pecker testified. Trump couldn’t understand why Pecker amended the agreement. Pecker told Trump McDougal was flooded with press requests for interviews, so he amended the agreement, even though he also paid her.
Trump was “very upset” and couldn’t understand why Pecker amended the agreement, Pecker testified.
– Aysha Bagchi
Pecker described having lunch with Karen McDougal. From his standpoint, the purpose was to make sure he and his company were compliant with their agreement with McDougal. Pecker said he wanted her to believe that because he wanted her not to speak to the press after the Wall Street Journal article that published soon before the 2016 election.
“I wanted her to remain within our family, I should say,” Pecker testified.
– Aysha Bagchi
The jury hasn’t been called into the courtroom yet because the lawyers and judge have been discussing whether a thread of text messages going up through October 2016 can be admitted in the trial. The messages are between former National Enquirer editor Dylan Howard and a source of Howard’s.
Trump lawyer Emil Bove said the texts are too prejudicial against Trump. The texts haven’t been shown to the audience. Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass said the texts relate to the “core conspiracy” regarding efforts to buy a story, and the jury can be instructed not to take every statement in the text chain as true.
Judge Merchan didn’t issue a ruling. He said he wants time to look at the texts closely, and has now called for the jury.
– Aysha Bagchi
Trump re-entered the courtroom at 2:11 p.m. ET as we prepare for more testimony from David Pecker after the lunch break.
– Aysha Bagchi
The jury was excused for a break in proceedings at 1:00 p.m. ET. David Pecker, who is wearing a dark suit, a pink shirt, and a red tie, left as well. The judge just declared we will re-start proceedings at 2:15 p.m. ET. Trump exited the courtroom at 1:02 p.m. ET.
– Aysha Bagchi
David Pecker said Trump invited him to Trump’s presidential inauguration. He said he asked his wife and she didn’t want to go, and he decided not to go either.
– Aysha Bagchi
Former National Enquirer executive David Pecker testified he was conversing with former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen when Donald Trump came into the room and Cohen told Trump he had gone through old National Enquirer files. “We have nothing to be concerned about,” Cohen told Trump, according to Pecker.
Pecker asked to walk back with Trump to Trump’s office. During that walk, according to Pecker’s testimony, Pecker told Trump that Cohen was very concerned about his bonus for the year and that Cohen has been very loyal and worked very hard. “I believe he would throw himself under a bus for you,” Pecker allegedly told Trump.
Trump replied that he didn’t know what Pecker was talking about – that Cohen had multiple apartments in Trump’s buildings as well as taxi medallions. “Don’t worry about it, I’ll take care of it,” Trump added, according to Pecker.
– Aysha Bagchi
Pecker is being questioned about The Wall Street Journal’s story days before the 2016 presidential election of the hush money for former Playboy model and alleged Trump paramour Karen McDougal’s story.
Pecker said he authorized American Media Inc. to put out false statements in order to protect his company, himself, and Donald Trump.
– Aysha Bagchi
After Pecker refused to buy Stormy Daniels’ story, Cohen was upset and told Pecker the boss “would be furious with me,” Pecker testified. Pecker still insisted he wouldn’t go forward with purchasing it.
– Aysha Bagchi
American Media Publisher David Pecker said on the witness stand that he refused to buy Stormy Daniels’ story. He texted National Enquirer Editor Dylan Howard: “We can’t pay 120k.”
Pecker explained on the stand that he was not a bank and had already put out hush money to Dino Sajudin and Karen McDougal to help Trump. He also said he didn’t want to be involved with a porn star.
“Perhaps I call Michael and advise him and he can take it from there, and handle,” Howard responded to Pecker, according to text messages displayed to the jury.
– Aysha Bagchi
The jury has been shown text messages between former National Enquirer editor Dylan Howard and David Pecker. A text from Howard said a woman wants $120,000. That woman was Stormy Daniels, Pecker testified.
According to the displayed text messages, Howard texted Pecker: “I know the denials were made in the past – but this story is true.” Howard said the woman has offers from “Mail” and “GMA.”
– Aysha Bagchi
Is the Trump trial available on TV or live stream?
No. New York typically does not allow for audio or visual coverage in the courtroom.
However, official transcripts of each day’s proceedings will be published on the New York State Unified Court System’s press website by the end of the following business day, officials announced Monday.
−Kinsey Crowley
David Pecker has resumed his testimony. Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass asked who Stormy Daniels is. Pecker says she is a porn star, and he received a call at one point communicating that Daniels was selling a story that she had a sexual relationship with Trump and the story could be acquired if the decision was made “right now.”
– Aysha Bagchi
Presidential pardon for ‘electoral fraud’?: Judge tentatively keeps texts from jury
Outside the jury’s presence, prosecution and defense lawyers have been discussing evidence the prosecution wants to admit of text messages between Dylan Howard and an unnamed relative of Howard’s. Howard is unable to travel and come to the trial, according to earlier testimony from Pecker.
In one message, according to the prosecution, Howard texted: “At least if he wins, I’ll be pardoned for electoral fraud.” He also allegedly texted: “I get pardoned, so it’s fine.”
Judge Juan Merchan tentatively ruled the texts couldn’t come in because Trump’s defense team wouldn’t be able to conduct cross-examination about them. Merchan cited the right under the Constitution for criminal defendants to be confronted with witnesses against them.
– Aysha Bagchi
Judge Juan Merchan is addressing legal issues with lawyers before the jury returns to the courtroom. The attorneys are making arguments about whether certain trial evidence prepared by prosecutors is admissible. One piece of evidence is a record concerning releasing Dino Sajudin from an exclusivity agreement with American Media Inc., the parent company for The National Enquirer. , after the 2016 election. Sajudin told a story — denied by Trump and widely questioned following media investigations — about Trump fathering a child with a housekeeper.
– Aysha Bagchi
Trump re-entered the courtroom at 11:22 a.m. ET, taking a look at reporters in the audience as he walked in between them to the defense table.
– Aysha Bagchi
Before the judge declared a short break in proceedings, Pecker said he told Michael Cohen he didn’t want to be reimbursed for money American Media Inc. put out to acquire the rights to Karen McDougal’s story. Pecker said he told Cohen that after having a conversation with a lawyer, although Pecker didn’t disclose the contents of that conversation.
“The boss is going to be very angry,” Cohen allegedly told Pecker. “I can’t believe it. I’m a lawyer. I’m your friend. I don’t understand why you’re so concerned,” Cohen added, according to Pecker.
– Aysha Bagchi
The court is staking a short break. Trump exited the courtroom at 11:14 a.m. ET.
– Aysha Bagchi
Unlawful election interference? Pecker says McDougal hush money wasn’t reported
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass asked David Pecker whether the hush money to Karen McDougal was reported as a campaign finance contribution. Pecker said it wasn’t.
Although only the $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels is specifically tied to the records falsification charges Trump faces, this testimony could still be important. A key part of prosecutors’ story is that the payment to Daniels violated federal campaign finance laws. That makes it unlawful interference in the 2016 election, and makes Trump’s alleged records falsification a cover-up for that unlawful interference, they say.
For Trump to be convicted of a felony, prosecutors must show not only that he falsified business records, but also that he did so to commit or conceal another crime. The federal campaign finance tie-in is one theory prosecutors have advanced to prove Trump committed a felony.
– Aysha Bagchi
Pecker says he never planned to publish McDougal story
David Pecker said he never planned to publish Karen McDougal’s story despite American Media Inc., which Pecker headed at the time, buying the rights to it. He said his main reason for buying McDougal’s story was to prevent it from influencing the 2016 presidential election.
– Aysha Bagchi
Pecker says he believed Trump knew about McDougal hush money contract
Pecker testified that Michael Cohen knew about the hush money agreement to keep Karen McDougal quiet, and he believed Donald Trump also knew.
– Aysha Bagchi
Pecker explaining contract with Karen McDougal
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass is walking David Pecker through a contract with Karen McDougal, who was paid $150,000 to stay quiet about an alleged affair with Donald Trump. Trump denies they had an affair. McDougal would get a monthly column in two different magazines, in addition to the $150,000, Pecker explained.
– Aysha Bagchi
Who is Stormy Daniels and what is her real name?
Stormy Daniels, born Stephanie Clifford, is an adult film star.
Daniels claims she had an affair with Trump in 2006, months after Melania Trump gave birth to Barron Trump. Michael Cohen paid her $130,000 to stay quiet about the alleged affair ahead of the 2016 presidential election
‘The boss will take care of it’
Pecker testified about a discussion with Michael Cohen about who would ultimately pay the $150,000 hush money to Karen McDougal to keep her story of an affair with Trump quiet ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Cohen allegedly told Pecker not to worry, “the boss will take care of it.” Pecker testified he understood that to mean he would be reimbursed either by the Trump Organization or Donald Trump.
– Aysha Bagchi
At open on April 25, Trump Media & Technology Group Corp shares rose to $37, up 3.73% from the previous close.
At close on Tuesday, Trump Media met the requirement to issue 36 million additional shares to Trump in an earnout bonus, worth $1.17 billion at the time.
‘Karen is a nice girl,’ Trump allegedly said about woman who claims they had affair
David Pecker is testifying about Karen McDougal’s story of having an affair with Trump, and his communications with Trump and Michael Cohen about it. McDougal has claimed they had an affair that overlapped with Melania Trump’s pregnancy. Trump denies the claim.
“I spoke to Michael. Karen is a nice girl,” Trump said to Pecker during a phone call, Pecker testified. Pecker said that comment made him believe Trump knew who McDougal was. Trump asked what Pecker thought he should do, according to Pecker. Pecker recommended Trump buy McDougal’s story and take it off the market.
Asked by prosecutor Joshua Steinglass why Pecker thought Trump should buy the story, Pecker testified he believed her story was true, and he thought it would have been very embarrassing for Trump personally as well as for Trump’s campaign.
– Aysha Bagchi
Prosecution argues Trump has violated gag order another four times
Judge Juan Merchan hasn’t yet ruled on whether to hold Trump in criminal contempt for allegedly violating a gag order. But prosecutor Christopher Conroy said this morning, just before prosecution witness David Pecker re-took the stand, that Trump has again been violating the order.
Conroy pointed to multiple comments by Trump to the press, including calling potential key witness Michael Cohen a “convicted liar” who “did some pretty bad things, I guess.”
Conroy said just this morning Trump commented on Pecker as well. “David’s been very nice,” Trump said, according to Conroy. “This is a message to Pecker: Be nice,” Trump allegedly said. “It’s a message to others. I have a platform and I can talk about you,” and I can say things like this or the kind of things I said about Cohen, Trump allegedly added.
– Aysha Bagchi
Judge Juan Merchan arrives in courtroom
Judge Juan Merchan entered the courtroom at 9:35 a.m. EST. As usual, after an attorney for each side introduced their legal team and Trump’s lawyer introduced him, Merchan said a general “Good morning” as well as a specific “Good morning, Mr. Trump.”
– Aysha Bagch
Trump arrives in courtroom for Day 7 of trial
Trump entered the courtroom at 9:29 a.m. EST. We are still waiting for Judge Merchan.
– Aysha Bagchi
Prosecution team arrives in courtroom
The prosecution team entered the courtroom at about 9:17 a.m. ET. We’re still waiting for former President Trump and his trial team, as well as for Judge Juan Merchan.
– Aysha Bagchi
Could Supreme Court presidential immunity arguments impact Trump’s New York case?
Early this month, Judge Juan Merchan rejected an argument from Trump to delay the New York criminal trial until after the Supreme Court rules on the scope of presidential immunity in Trump’s federal election interference case. Merchan said Trump raised the immunity defense in his New York case too late.
If Trump is found guilty in the New York criminal trial, he could challenge Merchan’s immunity ruling on appeal, and potentially point to a Supreme Court immunity ruling as a basis for re-trying the New York case.
– Aysha Bagchi
Why isn’t Trump at Supreme Court arguments?
New York trial Judge Juan Merchan rejected a request from former President Donald Trump’s legal team last week to allow Trump to attend today’s Supreme Court arguments over whether he is immune from prosecution in his federal election interference case. The high court is reviewing whether a former president can be prosecuted for official presidential acts.
“Arguing before the Supreme Court is a big deal,” Merchan said. He added that he understood Trump’s desire to be at those arguments, but wouldn’t alter the criminal trial plans for them.
– Aysha Bagchi
How old is Donald Trump?
Donald Trump is 77 years old. He will turn 78 on June 14, 2024.
Trump was 70 years old when he was inaugurated into office in 2017.
Joe Biden is 81 years old, the first octogenarian president. Biden and Trump have been the two oldest people elected president in U.S. history.
-Kinsey Crowley
Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is prosecuting Trump on 34 felony counts of falsifying business records. Trump allegedly covered up the purpose of checks to Michael Cohen in order to conceal unlawfully interfering in the 2016 presidential election through a hush money payment to porn star Stormy Daniels.
Trump has pleaded not guilty. He also denies Daniels’ claim that the two of them had sex just months after Melania Trump gave birth to Barron Trump.
– Aysha Bagchi
At close on April 24, Trump Media & Technology Group Corp shares rose to $35.67, up 9.52% from the previous close.
Elaine Hadley is a dedicated journalist covering the ever-evolving landscape of U.S. news. With a keen interest in politics and a commitment to uncovering the truth, she provides insightful commentary and in-depth analysis on domestic issues. When not reporting, Elaine enjoys exploring the diverse cultures and landscapes of the United States.
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