NEW YORK — Prosecutors on Friday called Rhona Graff, a longtime executive assistant to Donald Trump, as their second witness in the former president’s hush-money trial after the conclusion of marathon testimony from former National Enquirer executive David Pecker.
Ms. Graff testified how Mr. Trump never used email but she would enter appointments, route calls and otherwise keep his records.
Prosecutors called her to testify about entries and recollections that, they allege, are relevant to their hush money claims and criminal charges against Mr. Trump.
For instance, the court saw an entry in the Trump Organization’s contact system for Karen McDougal, the Playboy model who claimed to have an affair with Mr. Trump, and for Stormy Daniels, the porn star who alleged a sexual encounter with Mr. Trump. She is at the heart of claims the ex-president criminally concealed hush payments; Mr. Trump denies having a sexual encounter with Ms. Daniels.
Ms. Graff testified she spotted Ms. Daniels at Trump Tower at some point before Mr. Trump ran for president.
“I have a vague recollection of seeing her in the reception area,” she said.
On cross-examination, defense attorneys suggested Mr. Trump might have been searching for contestants for his show “The Apprentice” at the time.
Ms. Graff said she, again “vaguely,” remembered hearing something about Ms. Daniels being considered as a contestant.
“It was part of the office chatter,” she testified.
Ms. Graff worked for Mr. Trump‘s namesake company from the late 1980s to early 2021, rising from executive assistant to senior roles.
Ms. Graff testified at the trial under a subpoena, and the Trump Organization is paying for her two attorneys.
Mr. Trump’s lawyers elicited positive testimony about Mr. Trump and his business environment.
“It was a very stimulating, exciting, just fascinating place to be,” Ms. Graff said. “Every single day was different.”
Ms. Graff described Mr. Trump as “fair” and “respectful to me.”
She also appreciated when he would poke his head out late in the day, saying she should go home to her family.
In a notable moment, Mr. Trump stood and reached out to Ms. Graff as she departed in the courtroom as if to wish her well.
It was difficult for the court gallery to hear what he said to her.