During the recent testimony, Michael Cohen shed light on a pivotal meeting that took place in 2015 involving David Pecker and Donald Trump. Cohen confirmed that the meeting occurred in Mr. Trump's office on the 26th floor. The focus of the discussion revolved around the influence of the National Enquirer, particularly its strategic placement at numerous supermarkets and bodegas.
Cohen revealed that the primary objective was to promote positive stories about Mr. Trump through the publication and to simultaneously publish negative stories about other political candidates. This tactic was seen as advantageous for Trump's image and campaign.
Prosecutor Susan Hoffinger probed further into the details of the meeting, questioning Cohen about any additional offers made by Pecker. Cohen disclosed that Pecker had assured them of his ability to monitor and intercept any negative information about Trump before it could be made public. This preemptive strategy aimed to prevent damaging revelations from surfacing and tarnishing Trump's reputation.
Hoffinger sought confirmation from Cohen regarding the implementation of this plan by Pecker. Cohen affirmed that Pecker had indeed followed through with the agreed-upon strategy, demonstrating his commitment to shielding Trump from unfavorable media coverage.
