Internet divided as David Pecker is expected to be first witness in Donald Trump’s hush money trial

WASHINGTON, DC: Former chairman of the parent company of the National Enquirer, David Pecker, is anticipated to be the first witness summoned by the Manhattan district attorney's office in former President Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial, claimed a source familiar with the proceedings, as per CNN.

Notably, Pecker had a key role in the purported plot to cover up Stormy Daniels' alleged affair with Trump before the 2016 presidential election by paying her hush money.

David Pecker could be first witness summoned in Trump's hush money trial

Pecker is anticipated to get a call from the DA's office following the conclusion of the opening comments, which are scheduled to start on Monday, April 22. The potential witness was initially reported by The New York Times.

Notably, during his tenure as American Media Inc's chairman and CEO, Pecker participated in many 'catch-and-kill' tactics designed to benefit Trump.

Moreover, Daniels' representative reached out to AMI in October 2016, indicating that Daniels was open to disclosing her claims of having an affair with Trump. However, Trump has denied the affair.

According to court documents, Pecker then supposedly got in touch with Michael Cohen, Trump's personal attorney, who arranged for payment of $130,000 to 'purchase [her] silence'.

The basis of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's case against the former president is the $130,000 payment, which Cohen received reimbursement for from the Trump Organization.

Moreover, for "falsifying New York business records in order to conceal damaging information and unlawful activity from American voters before and after the 2016 election', Bragg charged Trump in an April 2023 indictment. Trump entered a not-guilty plea.

According to sources, Daniels and Cohen are also anticipated to testify during the trial.

Moreover, in a different incident, model and actress Karen McDougal received a $150,000 payment from AMI a few months prior to the 2016 election in exchange for her silence on an alleged romance with Trump.

Prosecutors plan to utilize this payment—which is not included in the allegations against the former president—to show that there was a pattern of such payments.

Internet divided as David Pecker is expected to be first witness in hush money trial

People on the Internet had mixed opinions as David Pecker is anticipated to be the first witness summoned by the Manhattan district attorney's office in Trump's criminal hush money trial.

A user posted on social media platform X, "David Pecker will be the first witness. Irony isn’t dead.

Another added, "Appropriate name. He's going to stick it to Don Snoreleone but good."

A user also wrote, "I can't imagine the flack he took as a kid growing up. All I have to say now, is that David Pecker sure lived up to his name."

One comment read, "Tomatoes tomato focus on Trump and the evidence aren’t you interested in David pecker trump buddy testimony tomorrow catch and kill conspiracy."

A person remarked, "David Pecker's testimony in Trump's criminal hush money trial exposes the depths of corruption in Trump's campaign & presidency."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.