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The Daily Kos published a great story yesterday about the National Enquirer. Years ago, they decided to attack Carol Burnett, and she sued them. Ultimately, she was awarded $300,000 in compensatory damages and $1.3 million in punitive damages. At the time, the punitive damages were equal to 35% of the Enquirer's net worth, and were subsequently reduced on appeal.
As the article points out in the final paragraphs, it is likely that David Pecker was encouraged to attack Bezos by both Trump and Saudi prince BDS.
http://www.dailykos.com/stories/2019/2/8/1833242/-Jeff-Bezos-Has-Maybe-Outdone-The-Great-Carol-Burnett?detail=emaildkcs
The National Enquirer has roots that go back to 1926, and it has had a troubled history ever since.
In the 1942, it was indicted under the Smith Act for subverting the morale of U.S. troops.
When the paper was purchased by Generoso Pope in 1952, the deal was financed by Mafia boss Frank Costello.
In 1957, the paper changed its focus from editorial content to sex and scandal, but switched to reporting on celebrities, the occult and UFO's in 1967.
As the article below mentions, there are LOTS of notable stories and lawsuits tied to this rag.
Here's the paragraphs that will make your ears wiggle:
According to reporting in The Washington Post, executives at the National Enquirer sent articles and cover images pertaining to Donald Trump or his electoral opponents to Michael Cohen, Trump's lawyer, prior to their publication. The Post reported that this practice has continued since Trump became President of the United States. American Media Inc. denied sharing material prior to publication. Federal prosecutors have subpoenaed American Media Inc as part of their investigations into Michael Cohen for possible violation of campaign finance laws.
According to reporting by the Associated Press, during the 2016 United States presidential election, stories that supported Donald Trump or attacked his rivals bypassed the newspaper's standard fact checking process.
Donald Trump reportedly suggested stories to David Pecker—sometimes via Hope Hicks and sometimes personally—including a negative story about Republican primary opponent Ben Carson.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Enquirer
David Pecker has been a friend of Donald Trump since 1998, when he started producing Trump Style, which was distributed to guests at Trump properties. He supported Trump's first run at the presidency in 2000, when Trump belonged to the Reform Party.
At a meeting in Trump Tower in 2014, he offered to Trump that he would use the National Enquirer to catch and kill any allegations of sexual affairs against him. In 2015, American Media paid $30,000 to the doorman at Trump Tower to obtain the rights to a story in which he alleged the Trump had an affair in the 1980's that resulted in the birth of a child. The mother was identified as Trump's former housekeeper.