David Pecker claims Donald Trump was 'always concerned' about Melania due to his negative stories during 2016 election
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: David Pecker, who took the stand as the first witness in Donald Trump's hush money trial, revealed some intriguing insights into the former president's concerns during the 2016 presidential election.
Pecker, the former CEO of American Media Inc (AMI), disclosed that regarding the potential impact of negative stories, Trump's primary concern before the election was his family, particularly his wife Melania Trump, and daughter Ivanka Trump.
David Pecker claims Donald Trump's concerns about unfavorable stories shifted over time
On the third day of the hush money trial on Wednesday, April 25, prosecutor Joshua Steinglass asked Pecker about the shift in Trump's concerns about negative stories changing over time.
"If a negative story was coming out with respect to Donald Trump and we spoke about it, he was always concerned about Melania, he was concerned about Ivanka, he was concerned about what the family may hear or say about it, not saying whether it was true or not," the former publisher responded.
Pecker then explained the shift in Trump's concern after the campaign as he said, "It was basically what the impact would be to the campaign and the election."
When asked about the former president's expressions of gratitude for helping him handle the negative stories, Pecker took a pause and said, "He said the stories would have been very embarrassing."
He shared that Trump's family was not mentioned during his conversation with Cohen and Trump about the negative stories before the election.
"So I made the assumption" the concern was his campaign, said Pecker, according to CNN.
David Pecker explains the impact of Donald Trump's 'Access Hollywood' tape
During the trial, Pecker summarized the notorious 2005 'Access Hollywood' tape as he recalled the release of the tape "was very embarrassing, very damaging to the campaign."
He recalled Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen telling him that the tape was "very, very damaging to the campaign and everybody was very concerned."
The controversial tape shot over a decade before Trump became president captured the former making disparaging remarks about women and boasting about his attempts to engage in sexual advances.
Donald Trump's ongoing hush money trial
The hush money trial that stems from allegations against Trump falsifying his business records to conceal payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about their alleged affair before the 2016 presidential election is currently underway.
The former president has since denied any wrongdoings in the case.
