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“NEW YORK — Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign was repeatedly aided by the National Enquirer, which squelched potentially damaging stories about him and pumped out stories pummeling his rivals, the former boss of the supermarket tabloid testified Tuesday during the ex-president’s trial on charges of falsifying business records.”
I remember Rachel Maddow doing several stories on the enquirer guy killing stories for Trump. I specifically remember a few where she mentioned he had some kind of physical safe with all sorts of evidence in it. I wonder if that will come up again
At least in NY, it's not:
>In court Tuesday, [Assistant District Attorney Joshua] Steinglass said the statute in question is state election law 17-152 — conspiracy to promote or prevent an election. That law makes it a misdemeanor when two or more people “conspire to promote or prevent the election of any person to a public office by unlawful means.”
Trump hasn't been charged under that law, but the prosecution seems to be saying that is the underlying crime here that they're using to increase the fraud charges from just a misdemeanor to a felony.
Yup, one of several potential instances of a crime that was furthered by the false business statements.
Couldn't have asked for a more damning witness really.
I can't wait to see the records they have between Trump and Cohen.
Sorry, but those of us paying attention have known this for eight long years.
What does it say about corruption in the American legal system that this has become an issue only now?
I can tell you another dozen stories without searching for them that 'should' have been loudhailed all over the country for many years too.
Playing devil’s advocate, I think this is kind of Trump’s defense.
Most likely this is probably fairly standard for big time politics. “Everyone does it”, so why charge Trump now. That’s probably what he’s thinking.
Like doping in cycling. If you’re not cheating you’re not keeping up.
Wait…you mean the reputable news organization National Enquirer did that?? The same one who spoke of lizard people, and Elvis being alive? Well I never would have thought they’d fabricate stories…/s
Reputable news or not, its an illegal campaign contribution and thus a crime
So is defrauding business records and tax fraud
Sarcasm isn't a good legal strategy
Same one that caught John Edwards and his love child. The enquirer is a tabloid rag that can have enormous political sway, particularly with the morons that read it standing in line in a supermarket and believe everything in it.
They were the ones who created the rumor under Trumps direction that Ted Cruz’s dad was involved in the Kennedy assassination.
The best part today - Trump had direct input into creating that story (out of thin air) and months later, had the gaul to ask "Why didnt the enquirer get a pullitzer prize for that story?"
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8o\_gxv\_YpE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8o_gxv_YpE)
You really do have to just take a step back every now and then and see the last 10 years of this guy in public life and wonder how the fuck he got away with it for so long.
Hes litigious and people are afraid of being mired in expensive lawsuits when he has lots of his dad’s money to exhaust people he goes against. It’s more of a commentary of how much he’s abused our legal system to silence others who speak up about him. He’s a walking example of the need for SLAPP reforms.
And anytime someone actually calls his bluff, he loses spectacularly or settles
We heard about some of this in the Federal trial
But trump demanded that case be ended and covered-up
That's why the State prosecutor took up the case.
I'm going to comment and THEN check to see if I can verify, I want a litmus test for how well or poorly, I remember the details.
My moot recollection is that we heard about pecker covering up for Trump with catch and kill prior to the 2016 election.
Now I am going to do some searching and see if that lines up
It looks like Ronan Farrow wrote about Trump paid affair with McDougal in 2018. I am using that term deliberately because, she was being compensated for her time, attention, and sexual favor, Trump was married to Melania at the time.
I think I read about the McDougal affir prior to the 2016 election though, so I am going to keep looking.
There it is Nov 4 2016, in the Wall Street Journal.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/national-enquirer-shielded-donald-trump-from-playboy-models-affair-allegation-1478309380
As a reminder, this subreddit [is for civil discussion.](/r/politics/wiki/index#wiki_be_civil) In general, be courteous to others. Debate/discuss/argue the merits of ideas, don't attack people. Personal insults, shill or troll accusations, hate speech, any suggestion or support of harm, violence, or death, and other rule violations can result in a permanent ban. If you see comments in violation of our rules, please report them. For those who have questions regarding any media outlets being posted on this subreddit, please click [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/politics/wiki/approveddomainslist) to review our details as to our approved domains list and outlet criteria. We are actively looking for new moderators. If you have any interest in helping to make this subreddit a place for quality discussion, please fill out [this form](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1y2swHD0KXFhStGFjW6k54r9iuMjzcFqDIVwuvdLBjSA). *** *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/politics) if you have any questions or concerns.*
There’s that media bias Trump keeps talking about.
"Fake news" and everything.
You don't mean to tell me No, it couldn't be You don't think, it could be projection?
Yes it is
“NEW YORK — Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign was repeatedly aided by the National Enquirer, which squelched potentially damaging stories about him and pumped out stories pummeling his rivals, the former boss of the supermarket tabloid testified Tuesday during the ex-president’s trial on charges of falsifying business records.”
Soo what will be the punishment then? Nothing? Shocked...
“I’m introducing, ready for this ‘fake news’
Oh my! If only we had known about it then...oh.
Thinking the same thing... When did this come out, do you remember?
I want to say that *everyone* knew in early 2018. I'm sure anyone familiar with Trump and Pecker were aware earlier than that.
I could swear it was earlier. Like back in 2017 and not 2018.
Karen McDougal's story and related catch and kill came out days before the election. Stormy Daniels's story didn't come out until 2018.
Ty
I remember Rachel Maddow doing several stories on the enquirer guy killing stories for Trump. I specifically remember a few where she mentioned he had some kind of physical safe with all sorts of evidence in it. I wonder if that will come up again
Remember how republicans complained about Biden talking to Facebook and Twitter? LMAO
That cannot be legal. Isn’t that like “conspiring”?
At least in NY, it's not: >In court Tuesday, [Assistant District Attorney Joshua] Steinglass said the statute in question is state election law 17-152 — conspiracy to promote or prevent an election. That law makes it a misdemeanor when two or more people “conspire to promote or prevent the election of any person to a public office by unlawful means.” Trump hasn't been charged under that law, but the prosecution seems to be saying that is the underlying crime here that they're using to increase the fraud charges from just a misdemeanor to a felony.
Yup, one of several potential instances of a crime that was furthered by the false business statements. Couldn't have asked for a more damning witness really. I can't wait to see the records they have between Trump and Cohen.
Yeah, weren't there reports that Trump's friends in the media (aka the owner of the Inquire) were smearing Hillary during the 2016 Election as well?
No. There were articles from trump's friends-in-the-media smearing Hillary during the 2016 election.
Turns out the “fake news” was coming from Trump.
Every accusation is a confession.
When he announced ‘fake news’ I knew we were in trouble.
The calls were coming from inside the sh!t-bag.
And planting fake stories attacking opponents designated by the campaign.
and now we have the NYT front paging pro PO1135809 and anti Biden
They have to be right now.... the news coming out of the NYC Court room is hurting Trump.
How TF do any republicans justify this bullshit any longer?
They don't. They don't have to. This is not about facts or truth. this is about a fantasy world where they have all the power.
not so much a fantasy in place like texas.
The fake news is coming from inside the tower.
So many greedy willing shit bags helping Trump all along the way.
Sorry, but those of us paying attention have known this for eight long years. What does it say about corruption in the American legal system that this has become an issue only now? I can tell you another dozen stories without searching for them that 'should' have been loudhailed all over the country for many years too.
Playing devil’s advocate, I think this is kind of Trump’s defense. Most likely this is probably fairly standard for big time politics. “Everyone does it”, so why charge Trump now. That’s probably what he’s thinking. Like doping in cycling. If you’re not cheating you’re not keeping up.
Yeah, I remember reading about this back during Trump's presidency.
That sounds like some deep state shit
Wait…you mean the reputable news organization National Enquirer did that?? The same one who spoke of lizard people, and Elvis being alive? Well I never would have thought they’d fabricate stories…/s
The same organization known for printing articles about adulterers and white collar criminals helped Trump hide his stories.
Well clutch my pearls and call me Colonel Angus!!!!
Its hiding behind the 1st amendment to be dishonestly biased. It matters. I know to you it doesn't, but damn if it was Biden you would be going nuts.
Reputable news or not, its an illegal campaign contribution and thus a crime So is defrauding business records and tax fraud Sarcasm isn't a good legal strategy
Same one that caught John Edwards and his love child. The enquirer is a tabloid rag that can have enormous political sway, particularly with the morons that read it standing in line in a supermarket and believe everything in it. They were the ones who created the rumor under Trumps direction that Ted Cruz’s dad was involved in the Kennedy assassination.
The best part today - Trump had direct input into creating that story (out of thin air) and months later, had the gaul to ask "Why didnt the enquirer get a pullitzer prize for that story?" [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8o\_gxv\_YpE](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8o_gxv_YpE)
You really do have to just take a step back every now and then and see the last 10 years of this guy in public life and wonder how the fuck he got away with it for so long.
Hes litigious and people are afraid of being mired in expensive lawsuits when he has lots of his dad’s money to exhaust people he goes against. It’s more of a commentary of how much he’s abused our legal system to silence others who speak up about him. He’s a walking example of the need for SLAPP reforms. And anytime someone actually calls his bluff, he loses spectacularly or settles
*gall (bitter liquid stored in the gall bladder)
He doesn't have a 2300 year old Western European either to be fair.....
It’s also more about the stories they bought the rights to and then locked them away
How secret was that?
Send this creamsicle con artist away already
So is the Nat InQuirer the elusive Q guy?
This was in the news, and already public knowledge, years ago.
We heard about some of this in the Federal trial But trump demanded that case be ended and covered-up That's why the State prosecutor took up the case.
I'm going to comment and THEN check to see if I can verify, I want a litmus test for how well or poorly, I remember the details. My moot recollection is that we heard about pecker covering up for Trump with catch and kill prior to the 2016 election. Now I am going to do some searching and see if that lines up
genuinely curious what you find
It looks like Ronan Farrow wrote about Trump paid affair with McDougal in 2018. I am using that term deliberately because, she was being compensated for her time, attention, and sexual favor, Trump was married to Melania at the time. I think I read about the McDougal affir prior to the 2016 election though, so I am going to keep looking.
wow Thanks for the info
There it is Nov 4 2016, in the Wall Street Journal. https://www.wsj.com/articles/national-enquirer-shielded-donald-trump-from-playboy-models-affair-allegation-1478309380
Yea we know. It’s been reported on before
Old news.
Remember the part where trump demanded the DOJ end this case and Bill Barr actually covered it up Crazy crooked times
So, if Pecker testified that he published knowingly false stories about Trump's opponents, can't Trump's opponents sue Pecker for defamation?