David Pecker resumes testimony in Trump hush money trial
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WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Former President Donald Trump returned to a New York City courtroom Thursday as his hush money trial continues.
Trump faces 34 felony counts of falsifying business records.
“There is no case here,” he told reporters outside the courtroom.
During testimony Thursday, the ex-publisher of the National Enquirer, David Pecker, tied Trump to payments to buy then kill negative stories about him ahead of the 2016 election.
Pecker told jurors he “believes” Trump was aware of the agreement.
“This case isn’t formally branded as a conspiracy case, but in many ways, that’s what it is,” said David Super, a law professor at Georgetown University.
Super said Pecker’s testimony early on is important.
“That, I think, makes it much harder for Trump to claim that this is a mischaracterization of his money or that he didn’t understand what was being done,” he said.
Prosecutors accuse Trump of illegally hiding hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels, but Trump’s defense argues the money was legal.
“This is just a political witch hunt,” Trump said.
Trump insists the case is a Democratic conspiracy to keep him off the campaign trail.
“But I guess based on what I’m looking at, it’s driving up my poll numbers, not driving them down,” he said.
Before heading to court Thursday, Trump visited construction workers for a campaign stop.
“We have a good chance of winning New York, in my opinion,” he said.
Nationally, a new Quinnipiac poll has Trump and President Joe Biden in a dead heat.
As court wrapped up Thursday, the judge announced he scheduled a last-minute hearing for Wednesday to hear alleged gag order violations.
Prosecutors requested more contempt findings against Trump after they asked the judge to fine him over social media posts they say violate a gag order.
The hearing next week directly conflicts with two Trump rallies in battleground states. It’s unclear if Trump will be required to attend.
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