Donald Trump scowls at court as David Pecker speaks about his 'very embarrassing' Access Hollywood tape
MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: On the third day of Donald Trump's New York criminal hush money trial, David Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer was questioned about the former president's 'Access Hollywood' tape.
The 77-year-old politician had his eyes closed and scowled at prosecutor Joshua Steinglass who questioned key witness Pecker about the controversial 2005 tape, according to CNN.
What is the 'Access Hollywood' tape?
Released before the 2016 presidential election, the notorious 2005 'Access Hollywood' tape captured Trump making disparaging remarks about women and boasting about his attempts to engage in sexual advances.
He made the remarks while waiting for a cameo appearance on a soap opera, a decade before he became president.
Shortly before the presidential election in November 2016, Trump dismissed the tape as "locker room banter" and "a private conversation."
What is the hush money trial about?
The hush money trial against Trump stems from allegations that he falsified his business documents to conceal payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about their alleged affair before the 2016 presidential election.
David Pecker talks about the 'Access Hollywood' tape
As Pecker took the stand as a witness in the trial on Wednesday, April 25, he summarized the 'Access Hollywood' tape.
The publisher recalled that when the controversial tape went public, "it was very embarrassing, very damaging to the campaign."
He further claimed that he spoke with Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen about the infamous tape incident.
Cohen told the publisher that the tape was "very, very damaging to the campaign and everybody was very concerned."
Pecker told the prosecutor that they were concerned "what impact it would have on the campaign."
Donald Trump's campaign went into damage control mode after 'Access Hollywood' tape release
According to prosecutor Matthew Colangelo, the release of the controversial tape in October 2016 before the presidential election had an "immediate and explosive" impact on Trump's campaign, reported ABC News.
"Seeing and hearing a candidate in his own words, in his own voice, with his own body language... has a much greater impact on voters than words on paper," he continued.
Concerned about the negative impact the tape might have on voters, the campaign also feared the repercussions it might have on Trump's nomination within the Republican party.
"The campaign went on immediate damage control mode to blunt the impact of the tape," said Colangelo.
"The Republican National Committee even considered whether it was too late to replace their own nominee," he added.
