One particular character loomed large over the seventh day of Donald Trump’s criminal trial: “the boss”.

Over four hours, former National Enquirer Publisher David Pecker laid out how far he and ex-Trump lawyer Michael Cohen went for “the boss”.

Mr Pecker testified he paid $150,000 (£120,000) to a Playboy model to protect “the boss’s” presidential run.

Mr Trump is accused of falsifying records to cover a hush-money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels.

On Thursday, Manhattan prosecutors sought to use Mr Pecker’s third day on the stand to show the former president was aware of clandestine payouts to cover up alleged affairs with women, and that the payments were part of an effort to influence the outcome of the 2016 election.

“The boss” would be pleased a negative story was kept from publication, Cohen told Mr Pecker at one point. At another point, Pecker testified, he was told “the boss” would be angry if negative allegations of an affair came to light. “The boss will take care of it,” Cohen would sometimes reassure Mr Pecker.

‘The boss” in question, Mr. Trump, was in the courtroom, listening quietly at the defence table.

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