During the trial, Prosecutor Matthew Colangelo shed light on the National Enquirer's use of damaging stories to target Donald Trump's political opponents. These stories included accusations against Ben Carson and GOP Sen. Ted Cruz, as well as insinuations about a family connection to the JFK assassination.
Colangelo explained the Enquirer's practice of 'catch and kill,' where they would purchase damaging information to suppress it rather than publish it. This tactic was allegedly used to benefit Trump's candidacy by hiding negative stories.
The prosecutor detailed two specific instances of catch and kill deals. The first involved a $30,000 payment to a former doorman of Trump Tower who claimed Trump fathered a child. This marked the first time the Enquirer's David Pecker had paid for information about Trump.
The second deal centered around Karen McDougal, with evidence suggesting that Trump was aware of the situation. Colangelo emphasized Trump's efforts to prevent the McDougal story from going public due to concerns about its impact on the election.
The revelations in court painted a picture of a deliberate strategy to suppress damaging information and protect Trump's image during his presidential campaign. The trial continues to uncover new details about the Enquirer's tactics and their relationship with Trump.
