Photo: Getty Images North America
Day seven of Donald Trump's hush money trial saw the defense take their first swings at a key witness, AMI executive David Pecker. So far, Pecker has been the only witness to testify in the trial, and yesterday he faced his first cross-examination by the defense.
Pecker testified that he didn't bear Trump any ill will and even still considers him a friend. He said, "I felt that Donald Trump was my mentor. He helped me throughout my career." Pecker did say that he hasn't spoken with the former president in several years.
Pecker also testified that he has been assisting Trump by providing him advanced warning of, or attempting to bury negative stories about Trump and the Trump family since 1998, long before Trump ran for president.
Another hearing on allegations that Trump has violated his gag order has been scheduled for next Wednesday. It isn't known at this time whether Trump will be required to attend in person. Usually, courts are not in session on Wednesday, and Trump already has two back-to-back rallies scheduled for that day.