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Today, I saw on the news that the prosecution in the current criminal case against former President Trump brought in a tabloid publisher to testify that Trump paid him to not publish negative press about him.

Does this have any legal bearing on the case, or is it just for (ironically) the negative press? From what I understand, it is not illegal to pay a publisher to not publish something, since he is neither a public servant nor (as far as I am aware) has any legal duty to publish the story.

feetwet
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In Hoc Signo
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1 Answers1

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Is paying a news publisher to not publish negative press about you legal?

Yes. This is not in and of itself illegal, although it can be one part of a larger course of activity that is illegal.

Does this have any legal bearing on the case, or is it just for (ironically) the negative press?

It establishes context and the true reason for payments that were recorded fraudulently in business records.

ohwilleke
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