the ex-national inquirer publisher david pecker testified he worked with mr. trump's then-lawyer michael cohen to bury stories that could have damaged the 2016 trump campaign, including those involving alleged affairs and to, quote, embellish negative stories about mr. trump's political rivals. pecker testified the arrangement stemmed from a 2015 trump tower meeting with cohen and the former president. the case centers on allegations that mr. trump colluded to illegally influence the 2016 election and falsify business records to cover up an alleged affair, all accusations he denies. >> what's going on is a disgrace. >> reporter: the day started with a contentious hearing over whether mr. trump violated the judge's gag order, barring him from publicly attacking witnesses and jurors, something prosecutors say he's done repeatedly, citing his comments about cohen right outside the courtroom. >> he got caught lying, pure lying. >> reporter: the trump legal team arguing the former president is defending himself as a presidential candidate, not a criminal defendant.