The indictment alleges that the former president attempted to illegally influence the 2016 presidential race through a practice known in the tabloid industry as “hunt and kill.”
In New York on Tuesday, April 22, a jury trial took place in the case of former President Donald Trump in his financial fraud by bribing a porn star for silence. The testimony was given by former National Enquirer tabloid publisher David Packer, who said he vowed to do everything possible to prevent the release of information that would harm his 2016 presidential campaign, the AP reports.
Prosecutors say this suppression of negative information was intended to illegally influence the election.
It was noted that Packer was the first witness in the case of Trump, who was charged with falsifying documents for the payment of money intended to prevent the appearance of damaging publications in the final days of the 2016 election campaign.
The witness detailed his behind-the-scenes role in propelling Trump from political novice to the Republican presidential nomination. According to Packer, he spread rumors in the form of sensational tabloid publications that smeared Trump’s opponents, while using his connections to suppress negative information about him.
Packer noted that he volunteered to publish positive stories about Trump and negative ones about his opponents. At the same time, he promised her: “I will be your eyes and ears.”
“I told him that whatever I hear… is negative, if I hear about women selling stories, I’m going to tell (Trump’s lawyer) Michael Cohen to buy the rights and break the stories,” said the witness.
To illustrate their case, prosecutors showed screenshots of various laudatory headlines published by the National Enquirer about Trump and derogatory and sarcastic posts about his opponents, including a Republican.
The publication recalls that in 2018, Cohen pleaded guilty to federal charges related to his role in secret payments to a porn star. Trump used to confide in her, but their relationship has deteriorated dramatically. Cohen is expected to be a key witness in the current trial.
Prosecutors say Trump tried to illegally influence the 2016 race through a practice known in the tabloid industry as “catch and kill” — buying the rights to a “caught,” potentially damaging story, then “kill” it with suppression deals that forbid it from being told to other people.
So, porn star Stormy Daniels was paid $130,000 to keep quiet about having sex with the former president. In addition, the former Playboy model was paid $150 thousand for not disclosing information about her long-term marital relationship with Trump.
Packer also spoke about the tabloid’s $30,000 buyout from a Trump Tower doorman for the rights to the rumor that Trump allegedly fathered a child with an employee of his company. True, this story is not true.
The 34 counts against Trump relate to reimbursements his company paid Cohen for bribing a porn star, describing them in documents as legal fees.
The charges are punishable by up to four years in prison. However, a possible court ruling does not deny Trump the right to run for president.
We remind you that many cases are underway against Trump. Against this backdrop, current President Joe Biden is increasing his lead in the ratings over Trump.
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.