ISTANBUL

David Pecker, former publisher of the National Enquirer, delivered a bombshell testimony on Tuesday, revealing the inner workings of a scheme to suppress damaging stories during Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.

The criminal hush money trial involving the former US president saw its first witness take the stand in the US courtroom on Tuesday.

Pecker disclosed to the New York court that the Enquirer engaged in a practice known as "catch and kill," wherein he paid individuals with potentially damaging stories about Trump and then buried those stories, preventing them from reaching the public eye.

His testimony shed light on payments made to two individuals who had stories of Trump's alleged sexual misconduct.

"When someone’s running for public office like this, it is very common for these women to call up a magazine like the National Enquirer to try to sell their stories," Pecker said during his testimony.

Pecker also revealed the decision to suppress these stories stemmed from a 2015 meeting with Trump himself.

He claimed to have assured Trump of favorable coverage in the Enquirer and pledged to shield him from damaging revelations.

One such payment involved former Playboy model Karen McDougal, who allegedly had a relationship with Trump in 2006 and 2007 but the former US president denied having an affair with McDougal.

Pecker asserted that he purchased McDougal's story after Trump declined to do so himself.

Another payment was made to a Trump Tower doorman, Dino Sajudin, who falsely claimed Trump fathered a child with a maid.

"I made the decision to buy the story because of the potential embarrassment it would have to the campaign and Mr. Trump," Pecker noted.

David Pecker is due to testify again when the trial continues on Thursday.

Legal battle intensifies

Prosecutors claim Pecker helped Trump deceive voters by suppressing alleged affair stories in 2016.

They have charged Trump with falsifying records to conceal a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels.

Trump denied the encounter, pleading not guilty to protect his reputation.

This trial, one of four against Trump, could affect his candidacy if he is found guilty.

Pecker's testimony came after a hearing addressing prosecutors' request to fine Trump $10,000 for breaching a gag order.

Judge Juan Merchan expressed skepticism towards Trump's defense, stating that it lacked evidence.

"I have to tell you right now, you're losing all credibility with the court," Merchan warned.

Trump claimed the order violated his free speech rights.

Prosecutor Christopher Conroy argued Trump knowingly violated the order, citing derogatory social media posts.

The $10,000 fine sought by Conroy may seem small compared to Trump's bonds in other cases.

Trump's lawyer Todd Blanche argued the social media posts were responses to political attacks and not connected to the anticipation of his former lawyer's testimony.​​​​​​​