David Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer, testified under oath at Donald Trump’s hush money trial, providing significant insights into Trump’s involvement in the catch-and-kill scheme to keep damaging stories out of the media during the 2016 election.
Pecker’s testimony revealed that Trump personally asked him how the payments to “our girl,” referring to former Playboy model Karen McDougal, were proceeding. McDougal was paid to keep quiet about her alleged affair with Trump.
Pecker told the court about a meeting with Trump on January 6, 2017, two weeks before Trump’s inauguration, in which Trump inquired about McDougal’s silence and the payment arrangements. According to the Associated Press, the meeting took place in Trump’s office with high-ranking officials present, including then-FBI Director James Comey, press adviser Sean Spicer, former GOP chair Reince Priebus, and future Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Trump introduced Pecker to the group, jokingly saying, “He probably knows more than anyone in this room.”
During the conversation, Trump asked Pecker for an update on “our girl.” Pecker reassured Trump that McDougal was keeping quiet, and Trump thanked him for handling the matters with McDougal and Dino Sajudin, a former doorman who was also paid for his claims. Pecker added that Trump found the stories about McDougal and Sajudin “very embarrassing.”
