Trump trial: 1st week of testimony ends with testimony from Cohen's former banker

In his cross-examination of David Pecker, the former National Enquirer publisher who ran the publication's parent company, AMI, defense lawyer Emil Bove sought to draw a contrast between AMI's conduct with Donald Trump and its work with another celebrity-turned-politician: Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Earlier today, Pecker testified about an agreement with Schwarzenegger ahead of the actor's run for California governor. According to Pecker, Schwarzenegger agreed to serve as an editor-at-large for some of AMI's fitness magazines in exchange for help quashing negative stories about Schwarzenegger's past interactions with women.

"A number of women called up the National Enquirer about stories that they have to sell on different relationships or contacts and sexual harassment they felt that Arnold Schwarzenegger did," Pecker said. "The agreement I had with Arnold was I would call him and advise him of any stories that were out there."

Pecker described that his arrangement with Schwarzenegger -- which he said resulted in an "embarrassing" investigation into AMI's conduct -- provided him with some foundational experience when he began identifying and killing stories for Trump.

"That's how I became sensitive on this topic," Pecker.

Pressed on cross-examination about the arrangement with Schwarzenegger, Pecker acknowledged that AMI spent its own money to kill stories about the former California governor.

"It was hundreds of thousands of dollars," Pecker said.

"And Mr. Schwarzenegger never paid you back for that?" Bove asked.

"No, he didn't," Pecker said.

Pecker also testified about an effort to compel Tiger Woods to do an interview with AMI's fitness magazines by purchasing a negative story about him as leverage.

Former President Trump's attorney Emil Bove began his cross-examination of former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker by seeking to painting Pecker and Trump's "mutually beneficially" relationship as one that had nothing to do with the election but rather had been underway for years under a "standard operating procedure."

"Seventeen years of providing President Trump with a heads-up about potentially negative publicity?" Bove asked Pecker.

"That's correct," Pecker said.

Bove asked Pecker about the first time he ever provided Trump with information -- which Pecker testified was in the 1990s and related to a negative story about Marla Maples, Trump's ex-wife.

"Fair to say that predated the Trump Tower meeting by a long time?" Bove asked of Pecker and Trump's relationship.

"Yes," Pecker said.

"A lot of interactions?" Bove asked.

"Yes," Pecker responded.

Pecker also testified about buying and suppressing stories for other individuals, such as one for former Rep. Rahm Emanuel for $20,000.

Bove also sought to show that kind of relationship between publishers and politicians was normal, saying there was "nothing wrong about" it.

"You are aware many politicians work with the media to try to promote their image?" Bove asked.

"Yes," Pecker responded.

"That's standard operating procedure?" Bove again asked.

"Yes," Pecker said.

"And sometimes when politicians are doing that, that is to try to win elections?" Bove continued.

"Right," Pecker responded.

"Nothing wrong about that?" Bove asked.

"No," Pecker responded.

Former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker concluded his direct examination by offering kind words about the former president.

"I felt that Donald Trump was my mentor. He helped me throughout my career," Pecker said, detailing how Trump reached out to help after one of Pecker's employees died from an anthrax attack in 2001.

"The first person who called me if I needed help was Donald Trump, and he was very helpful," Pecker said.

Pecker confirmed that he has not spoken to Trump since early 2019, though the former president sent his regards through mutual friends who saw the former president at Mar-a-Lago.

"I thought the investigation that was going on at the same time -- I thought it was inappropriate to respond or have any conversations with Mr. Trump," Pecker said.

Pecker said he still considers Trump to be a friend.

"I have no ill will at all," Pecker said about Trump. "Even though we haven't spoke … I still consider him a friend."

When former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker received a letter from the Federal Election Commission in September 2018, "I called up Michael Cohen immediately," Pecker said.

Cohen said he had also received a letter from the FEC -- but urged Pecker not to fret.

"He says,' Why are you worried?' He said, 'Jeff Sessions is the attorney general and Donald Trump has him in his pocket,'" Pecker testified.

Pecker then described the non-prosecution agreement his company, AMI, struck with federal prosecutors in Manhattan, which included details about the catch-and-kill arrangement he had brokered with Cohen.

Pecker read for the jury passages from the non-prosecution agreement, including a reference to AMI's deal to pay Karen McDougal -- described in the agreement only as "the model" -- for her story, "so as to prevent it from influencing the presidential election."