‘Just an agreement among friends’: Ex-National Enquirer publisher David Pecker testifies Trump disavowed buying negative stories, highlights Michael Cohen’s involvement

A sketch of David Pecker testifying in Donald Trump

Former president Donald Trump, left, watches as David Pecker answers questions on the witness stand, far right, from assistant district attorney Joshua Steinglass, in Manhattan criminal court, April 23, 2024, in New York. (Elizabeth Williams via AP)

Contours of a “mutually beneficial” agreement between a first-time presidential candidate and his publisher friend were detailed during testimony on Tuesday afternoon in a lower Manhattan courtroom.

David Pecker, 72, the onetime CEO of the National Enquirer‘s parent company, American Media Inc., took the stand for the second time in the hush-money trial of former president Donald Trump, 77.

“I have had a great relationship with Mr. Trump over the years,” Pecker testified at the outset, establishing himself as a longtime friend and confidant, who has known the former president since the 1980s, according to a report by Just Security fellow Adam Klasfeld.

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