Donald Trump often speaks about having many enemies, but it seems that David Pecker, the former publisher of the National Enquirer and a key witness in the Manhattan district attorney’s case against Trump, is not one of them.
In recent testimony, Pecker revealed details about his long-standing relationship with Trump, including instances where he helped suppress negative stories about the former president and his opponents. Despite this damaging testimony, Trump has remained surprisingly positive about Pecker.
Pecker’s positive sentiments towards Trump are reciprocated. During his testimony, Pecker expressed no ill will towards Trump and even referred to him as a mentor.
Their friendship dates back to the late 1980s when they first met at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort. Over the years, Pecker supported Trump by providing advance notice of potentially damaging stories and assisting in silencing allegations, as seen in cases involving a doorman’s story and former Playboy model Karen McDougal.
However, their relationship faced strains when Pecker refused to pay Stormy Daniels to keep quiet about her alleged affair with Trump. Despite this, Pecker still acknowledges helping Trump’s campaign by suppressing stories that could harm his presidential bid.
Pecker’s immunity deal with the Manhattan DA’s office in late 2019 protected him from prosecution in Trump’s New York hush money case. Unlike other former allies who have faced legal troubles, Pecker has largely remained in Trump’s good graces.
In contrast, individuals like Michael Cohen, once a loyal aide to Trump, turned against him after facing legal repercussions. Cohen’s relationship with Trump soured as he became embroiled in legal troubles related to the hush money payments.
Despite not speaking with Trump since early 2019, Pecker still considers him a friend, showcasing a stark contrast to the fallout between Trump and other former allies like Cohen.
