The hush money trial involving former President Donald Trump saw its first witness take the stand on Monday, shedding light on the inner workings of the National Enquirer's parent company. David Pecker, the former chairman of the company, provided key insights during his testimony.
Pecker detailed his responsibilities at the National Enquirer's parent company, emphasizing that major stories involving celebrities required his approval. He mentioned that editors had a budget of up to $10,000 for investigating and publishing stories, with any expenses beyond that amount needing his vetting.
Additionally, Pecker revealed that he maintained a private email account for confidential communications, underscoring the sensitivity of certain matters.
It's worth noting that Pecker received immunity in exchange for his testimony, and the parent company, American Media Inc., reached a non-prosecution agreement with prosecutors.
During the opening statements, prosecutor Matthew Colangelo framed the case as centering around a criminal conspiracy and cover-up. On the other hand, Trump's attorney, Todd Blanche, staunchly defended the former president, asserting his innocence and claiming that no criminal activity took place. Blanche expressed confidence in finding reasonable doubt in the prosecution's arguments.
The judge adjourned proceedings, dismissing the jury until 11 a.m. ET the following day, as the trial continues to unfold.
