During the trial, Joshua Steinglass presented key information regarding the Dino Sajudin story. He revealed the existence of source agreement documents between the former Trump Tower doorman and National Enquirer publisher David Pecker. It was disclosed that Pecker had agreed to pay a higher amount than usual for the story, indicating its potential significance.
Pecker reportedly stated that if the Sajudin story was true, it would have had a monumental impact, likening it to the magnitude of Elvis Presley's death. However, Steinglass highlighted that Pecker had intended to delay publishing the story until after the election. This decision was based on an agreement Pecker had made with Michael Cohen and Donald Trump.
Steinglass emphasized that the motive behind delaying the story, known as 'catch and kill,' was solely to benefit Trump's campaign. This strategic move was intended to prevent any negative publicity that could harm Trump's electoral prospects.
It was revealed in court that AMI, the parent company of the National Enquirer, had entered into an agreement with Sajudin on November 15, 2015. The agreement involved the purchase of rights to the story, which allegedly revolved around Trump's alleged paternity of a child.
The evidence presented by Steinglass shed light on the intricate dealings and motivations behind the handling of potentially damaging stories about Trump. The trial proceedings provided valuable insights into the practices employed by media entities and individuals to manipulate information for political gain.