The defense began its cross-examination of David Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer, during the recent court proceedings. Trump attorney Emil Bove sought to downplay Pecker's assistance to Donald Trump during the 2016 election, suggesting it was not unusual.
Bove's cross-examination lasted over an hour before the court adjourned for the day, with plans to continue questioning Pecker on Friday. Here are some key points from the cross-examination:
- Pecker confirmed his tenure with American Media Inc., the National Enquirer's parent company, spanning from 1999 to 2020. He also acknowledged retaining equity in AMI.
- When asked if his management of AMI was profit-driven, Pecker affirmed, stating that AMI was not a charitable organization.
- Bove inquired about AMI's practice of purchasing stories, to which Pecker agreed, indicating it was part of the company's business model.
- Pecker's use of 'checkbook journalism' to acquire stories was reiterated by Bove, highlighting the financial aspect of AMI's operations.
- Source agreements, giving AMI control over the release of information, were confirmed by Pecker as a standard practice within the company.
The cross-examination shed light on AMI's business strategies, emphasizing its focus on profitability and the acquisition of stories through financial means. The questioning also underscored the importance of source agreements in controlling the dissemination of information by AMI.
