Former President Donald Trump is on trial in New York City, where he is facing felony charges related to a 2016 hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels. It marks the first time in history that a former U.S. president has been tried on criminal charges.
Trump last April pleaded not guilty to a 34-count indictment charging him with falsifying business records to hide the reimbursement of a hush money payment his then-attorney Michael Cohen made to Daniels in order to boost his electoral prospects in the 2016 presidential election.
Former President Trump, exiting the courtroom at the end of Day 7 of his trial, called the day's court proceedings "breathtaking."
Former President Donald Trump, standing with attorney Todd Blanche, speaks to the press as he leaves for the day during his trial at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York City, Apr. 25, 2024.
Jefferson Siegel/POOL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
He specifically remarked on the Supreme Court's hearing this morning on his bid for presidential immunity in his federal election interference case, which Trump was forced to miss due to his criminal trial.
"I heard the meeting was quite amazing. The justices were on their game," Trump said.
-ABC News' Kelsey Walsh and Mike Pappano
Apr 25, 2024, 4:40 PM EDT
Prosecutor objects to defense questions before court is adjourned
Prosecutor Joshua Steinglass alleged that defense attorney Emil Bove used a "totally improper line of questioning" during Bove's cross-examination of former National Enquirer publisher David Pecker.
Judge Juan Mechan, addressing Bove, at one point raised his voice slightly, saying, "Are you missing my point? Because I don't think you are responding to what I am saying."
Justice Juan Merchan listens during Trump's criminal trial in Manhattan state court in New York City, April 25, 2024, in this courtroom sketch.
Jane Rosenberg/Reuters
Merchan said that the jurors will be corrected about the alleged misimpression at the start of court tomorrow.
The judge then adjourned the day's proceedings, with court scheduled to resume at 9:30 a.m. ET Friday.
Apr 25, 2024, 4:31 PM EDT
Pecker says AMI paid to kill stories for Schwarzenegger
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.
Former President Donald Trump watches during his criminal trial in Manhattan state court in New York City, Apri. 25, 2024, in this courtroom sketch.
Jane Rosenberg/Reuters
"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.
Apr 25, 2024, 4:15 PM EDT
Pecker tells defense that killing stories is 'standard' procedure
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.
