Trump supporters call hush money trial 'cruel' as National Enquirer boss admits ex-prez offered DNA test to disprove love child claims

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: In a dramatic turn of events at the hush money trial in Manhattan, former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker took the stand, revealing startling details about efforts to suppress damaging allegations against Donald Trump during the 2016 election campaign.

The trial, which marks a historic moment as Trump becomes the first former president to face a criminal trial, saw Pecker recounting a pivotal meeting in August 2015 at Trump Tower.

Alongside Trump's "fixer" Michael Cohen and aide Hope Hicks, Pecker described how he pledged to act as Trump's "eyes and ears," actively suppressing negative stories and amplifying positive ones about the then-presidential candidate.

Pecker said, "We used checkbook journalism and we paid for stories. When someone is running for public office like this it is very common for these women to call up a magazine like the National Enquirer to try to sell their stories."

David Pecker purchased story about Trump's alleged love child for $30K

Among the most explosive revelations was that Trump had fathered a child with a Trump Tower maid.

Pecker disclosed how the National Enquirer purchased the story from Trump Tower doorman Dino Sadujin for $30,000, only to discover it was "1,000 per cent untrue" after an extensive investigation. He said, "Dino was in the market, selling a story that Donald Trump fathered an illegitimate girl with a maid at Trump Tor and the maid worked in his penthouse."

Pecker even stated that Trump offered to take a DNA test to disprove the allegations. He recalled Cohen saying, "'Mr Trump would take a DNA test, he's German Irish and this woman is Hispanic and it's absolutely impossible.' I told Michael Cohen that won't be necessary, we'll vet the story."

While Pecker said the story was "1,000 per cent untrue," they paid for it because if it "got out to another publication or another media outlet it would have been very embarrassing to the campaign." He added, "I bought the story. If the story was true and I published it, it would be probably the biggest sale in the National Enquirer since the death of Elvis Presley."

The courtroom was filled with tension as Pecker detailed the lengths to which his magazine went to protect Trump's image. From purchasing the silence of porn star Stormy Daniels to suppressing stories about Trump's rivals, including Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, and Hillary Clinton, the trial painted a picture of a concerted effort to shield Trump from damaging accusations.

Some of the National Enquirer headlines read 'Bungling surgeon Ben Carson left sponge in patient's brain', 'Ted Cruz Shamed By Porn Star', and 'Perv Ted Cruz Caught Cheating'.

The testimony also delved into the case of Playboy model Karen McDougal, who claimed to have had an affair with Trump. Pecker described how Cohen became "very agitated" under pressure to obtain details about an interview the National Enquirer conducted with McDougal. Despite Cohen's persistence, Trump allegedly refused to buy McDougal's story.

Throughout the proceedings, Trump appeared visibly amused, laughing at references to Elvis Presley and shaking his head at the absurdity of the false allegations. Pecker's testimony shed light on the intricate web of relationships and transactions aimed at safeguarding Trump's reputation during a crucial period in his political career, CBS News reported.

"I said any stories that are out there about Donald Trump, his family, the election, whatever it might be. I want you to vet the stories," Pecker recounted telling National Enquirer editor Dylan Howard. "I want you to bring them to me. We'll have to speak to Michael Cohen. You'll call him, or I will, and we'll tell him what the stories are."

Social media calls out 'inhumane' treatment of Donald Trump by courts

Social media erupted with reactions to Pecker's claims, with some decrying the trial as election interference.

"He shouldn't be on trial for any of this. It's simply election interference. If he was not running for president, none of this would be going on," one posted on X.

"The goal is to keep Trump stuck in courtrooms for most of the Presidential campaign. Meanwhile, Sparky will campaign. This is the worst case of election interference in our history," another fumed.

"Burying stories is not against the law. The 'MSM' does it every day," someone else alleged.

"The trial proceedings itself are cruel and inhumane treatment of Trump. An abomination of the legal system," another added.

A Trump sympathizer said, "I don't even know how Donald Trump is controlling himself with this. Good job!" Another MAGA supporter said, "True, the haters are crawling out of the woodwork to say anything they can against him. Even if they deny it later, some people still believe."

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