David Pecker, former head of American Media, detailed his role in the ‘catch and kill’ practice to bury damaging stories about Donald Trump during the 2016 election, expecting a reimbursement from Trump or his organization.
David Pecker, the former head of American Media, testified in a Manhattan court about his involvement in suppressing damaging stories about Donald Trump during his 2016 presidential campaign. This practice, known as “catch and kill,” was highlighted in Pecker’s account of purchasing the story of Karen McDougal for $150,000 to prevent embarrassment to Trump and interference in the election.
Pecker disclosed that he expected reimbursement from Trump or the Trump Organization for the payments made to secure the stories. He noted that Trump thanked him post-election for his efforts to control damaging narratives. Additional testimony connected to these arrangements included Pecker’s interactions with Michael Cohen, Trump’s lawyer, who implied that Trump could influence the justice department in Pecker’s favor regarding campaign-finance violations.
The trial also resurfaced allegations from former Playboy model Karen McDougal about an affair with Donald Trump, which were intended to be suppressed under the “catch and kill” tactic. McDougal eventually broke her silence in 2018, which led to Trump expressing his displeasure to Pecker over the breach of their agreement.
Revelations from the trial have not only shone a light on these practices but also spotlighted the role of the National Enquirer. Lachlan Cartwright, a former executive editor at the Enquirer, spoke about how the tabloid’s credibility was severely damaged as it became embroiled in the political manipulation to boost Trump and undermine rivals.
Additionally, Pecker’s testimony included a past instance involving Arnold Schwarzenegger, who in 2002, during his run for California governor, also reportedly sought Pecker’s help to avoid negative press.
The ongoing trial continues to unravel the extent of Trump’s efforts to manage his public image and potentially misuse his position for personal and political gain.
