Why Aussie journo in Donald Trump criminal case declines to testify

The globetrotting Geelong boy who landed himself at the centre of Donald Trump’s criminal trial in the US has declined to testify. See why.

The Australian journalist at the centre of Donald Trump’s hush money trial has declined to reveal whether he provided medical records to the court about why he was unable to testify.

Dylan Howard, who worked at Seven Network and the Geelong Advertiser before going on to edit the American Media, Inc. (AMI) tabloid news empire, the National Enquirer, has been in Australia for several months.

His text messages have become a key part of Mr Trump’s trial, with allegations he helped buy and bury stories – including that of a Playboy model – which would negatively impact the Republican candidate.

The Manhattan Criminal Court has heard that Mr Howard was not going to be a witness because of a spinal injury that meant he was unable to travel.

Dylan Howard on US TV. Picture: Instagram

Former U.S. President Donald Trump. Picture: AFP

When this week asked about the nature of his illness and if he had provided records to the court, Mr Howard said through his lawyer: “The reasons that Mr. Howard is not testifying are private.

“The necessary parties in the United States are aware of the situation.”

Mr Howard, who was editor-in-chief of the National Enquirer during the 2016 presidential campaign, has not been charged and denies any wrongdoing.

Before the 2016 election, porn star Stormy Daniels had been threatening to detail an affair with Mr Trump, claiming they had sex after meeting at a golf tournament in 2006.

Mr Trump has denied the story but Ms Daniels was paid $196,000 to stay quiet before the 2016 election by lawyer Michael Cohen.

Former Playboy model Karen McDougal claimed she had a 10-month affair with Mr Trump in 2006 and 2007.

Mr Trump also denied that alleged affair but Ms McDougal was paid $226,000 by AMI.

The Manhattan court has heard that Mr Howard was the middleman for Ms Daniels’ deal, while he signed the contract to buy Ms McDougal’s story but a story was never published.

Stormy Daniels.

Karen McDougal.

Mr Howard has been granted immunity after previous testimony, his lawyer has previously said.

When asked this week if he had his time again whether he would change anything about his interactions with Mr Trump, Mr Howard replied through his lawyer: “Mr. Howard had no “interactions” with Trump.

“They met once briefly at the White House after the election. As David Pecker testified, it was he, not Mr. Howard, who made all the editorial decisions regarding Mr. Trump.”

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