Second day of Trump's 'hush money' trial

The trial of former US President Donald Trump, one of four criminal cases brought against him, regarding allegations of paying 'hush money' to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential election, continues into its second day.

National Enquirer publisher David Pecker, who took the witness stand yesterday and today, stated that Trump used him to suppress stories that could damage his candidacy in the 2016 presidential race.

Pecker explained that he paid two people who were selling stories about Trump's sexual behavior but never published them, saying, "When someone is running for such a public office, it is very common for these women to call a magazine like the National Enquirer and try to sell their stories."

Stating that the decision to withhold the stories in question was made after a meeting in 2015, Pecker noted that he told Trump at the meeting that the Enquirer would publish positive stories about him and would look out for people selling stories that could harm him.

150 THOUSAND DOLLARS PAID

Pecker stated that the Enquirer made a payment to former model Karen McDougal for her affair with Trump in 2006 and 2007, and that he bought the story after Trump himself refused to do so.

American Media, the parent company of the Enquirer, announced in 2018 that it paid 150 thousand dollars for the story in question. Trump has denied having an affair with McDougal. Pecker also said they paid 30 thousand dollars for a story from Trump Tower doorman Dino Sajudin, who claimed that Trump had a child with a housekeeper working for him, and that the story turned out to be untrue.

Pecker stated that both payments were far above the amounts the newspaper normally pays for stories, adding, "I made the decision to buy the story because of the potential embarrassment it would cause the campaign and Mr. Trump."

Prosecutors argued that, considering the other accusations Trump faced in the 2016 election, he helped deceive voters by covering up allegations of extramarital affairs.

"HE DOES IT ANYWAY"

Prosecutor Christopher Conroy pointed to Trump's social media post dated April 10, in which he called Stormy Daniels and his former lawyer Michael Cohen "sleazebags," and said that Trump violated the "gag order" against him. Conroy said, "He knows what he is not allowed to do, but he does it anyway. His disobedience to the orders is intentional. It is willful."

"I AM NOT ALLOWED TO DEFEND MYSELF"

Speaking to reporters after the hearing, Trump reacted to the gag order he was ordered to follow, calling it a "disgrace." Expressing his discomfort with having to sit back while other people talk about him, Trump said, "I am not allowed to defend myself."

Trump also pointed out that he could not campaign because he was trapped in the courtroom all day.

News Source: İHA