David Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer, is expected on Tuesday to resume testifying as the first witness in the criminal trial of former U.S. President Donald Trump on charges stemming from hush money paid to a porn star. Pecker, a central figure in the case, has a long and complicated history with Trump and the tabloid industry.
Born on September 24, 1951, in the Bronx, New York City, Pecker grew up in a Jewish family and attended Pace University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in accounting. After graduating from college, Pecker began his career as an accountant at Price Waterhouse before moving on to CBS, where he worked in various finance and accounting roles and eventually became vice president of accounting. In 1990, Pecker joined Hachette Filipacchi Magazines, a French media company, as chief financial officer and executive vice president, playing a key role in the company's expansion into the United States.
In 1999, Pecker became the chairman and CEO of American Media, Inc. (AMI), which published several popular tabloids, including The National Enquirer, Star, and Globe. Under his leadership, AMI grew into a major player in the entertainment and publishing industry, known for its sensationalist coverage of celebrity scandals and political figures.
Pecker and Trump's relationship dates back several decades, with the National Enquirer often providing favorable coverage of the businessman-turned-politician. In 2018, it was revealed that Pecker and AMI had engaged in a practice known as "catch and kill," where the company would purchase the rights to potentially damaging stories about Trump only to suppress them. This practice was allegedly used to protect Trump from negative publicity during his 2016 presidential campaign.
One such instance involved the hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels, who alleged an affair with Trump in 2006. Pecker and AMI played a role in facilitating the $130,000 payment to Daniels in exchange for her silence about the alleged affair. The payment, made by Trump's then-personal attorney Michael Cohen, has become a central focus of the criminal case against the former president.
In 2019, Pecker stepped down as CEO of AMI after the company faced financial difficulties and legal troubles related to the catch and kill scandal. He was granted immunity by federal prosecutors in exchange for his cooperation in the investigation into the Trump campaign's alleged hush money payments.
As the star witness in the criminal trial against Trump, Pecker's testimony is expected to provide crucial insight into the hush money payments and the involvement of the former president and his associates. The trial, which began on April 4, 2023, in New York City, marks a significant moment in American political and legal history, as it is the first time a former U.S. president has faced criminal charges.
Pecker's involvement in the case highlights the complex relationship between politics, media, and celebrity culture. While his career has been marked by success in the publishing industry, his legacy has also been shaped by controversial tactics and his association with the catch and kill scandal. As the trial unfolds, Pecker's testimony will undoubtedly shed light on the events surrounding the hush money payments and the role played by the tabloid industry in shaping public perception and political narratives. Thanks for listening to Quiet Please. Remember to like and share wherever you get your podcasts.