The owner of The National Enquirer has been attempting to sell the publication for the past five years, but the sale attempts have turned into a dramatic saga of their own. The Enquirer is back in the spotlight due to the hush-money trial of former President Donald J. Trump, which revolves around the “catch and kill” practices the publication used to support Mr. Trump’s 2016 election campaign.
David Pecker, the former publisher of The Enquirer and a close friend of Mr. Trump, is the prosecution’s key witness in the trial. His testimony has revealed the deep ties between The Enquirer and the Trump campaign, leading to a series of unsuccessful sale attempts by the publication’s owner in recent years.
Pecker disclosed in court how The Enquirer collaborated with the Trump campaign to suppress damaging stories about Mr. Trump by paying off sources to keep silent. The publication’s controversial tactics came to light in 2018 when its parent company admitted to making hush-money payments that violated campaign finance laws.
Founded in 1926, The National Enquirer evolved from a broadsheet to a tabloid known for sensational headlines and scandalous content. Over the years, the publication has been involved in various high-profile stories, including its connection to the Trump campaign during the 2016 election.
After facing pressure from its parent company, Pecker eventually left American Media in 2020, which later rebranded as A360 Media. Despite ongoing efforts to sell The Enquirer, a deal with James Cohen fell through in 2019, leading to a subsequent agreement with VVIP Ventures in 2023.
However, the deal with VVIP Ventures collapsed, with one of the buyers, Ted Farnsworth, facing legal troubles in a separate case. As a result, The National Enquirer remains under the ownership of A360 Media, with its future uncertain amidst the failed sale attempts.
Despite these challenges, The National Enquirer continues to operate under A360 Media, with little information available about its current status. The publication’s fate remains uncertain as it navigates through a turbulent period in its long history.
