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AdvisorShares Q Dynamic Growth ETF

The endorsement of Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) by former President Donald Trump has done little to deter conservative rebels from their mission to oust him. Despite Trump&#8217;s support, key figures like Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) continue to voice their dissatisfaction.
What Happened: Trump&#8217;s backing of Johnson was made public during a radio interview with John Fredericks on Monday. 
The ex-president said, &#8220;It's not like he can go and do whatever he wants to do. I think he's a very good person,&#8221; Trump said following his time in court in New York on Monday. &#8220;I think he's trying very hard.&#8221;
However, this endorsement has not appeased those seeking Johnson&#8217;s removal. Greene, the originator of the current motion-to-vacate resolution, expressed her dissatisfaction on social media, stating, &#8220;Complete surrender is not acceptable and will not be tolerated.&#8221;
Similarly, Massie criticized Johnson again on Tuesday, insisting on no &#8220;complete &amp; total surrender.&#8221; He also expressed his disappointment with the current state of the U.S. House, calling it &#8220;downright embarrassing.&#8221;
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38357333/elon-musk-reacts-to-tucker-carlson-saying-theres-ton-of-evidence-that-aliens-live-among-us-with-6000?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Elon Musk Reacts To Tucker Carlson Saying There&#8217;s &#8216;Ton Of Evidence&#8217; That Aliens Live Among Us: &#8216;With 6000 Satellites Orbiting Earth, I Think I Would Know&#8217;</a>
Why It Matters: This rebellion against Johnson follows his decision to advance a $95 billion foreign aid package, including $61 billion for Ukraine and regional partners. Greene had previously called for <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38349699/marjorie-taylor-greene-says-mike-johnsons-speakership-is-over-after-house-passes-ukraine-aid-package">Johnson&#8217;s resignation</a> after the House passed the aid package, accusing him of betraying Republican voters. She threatened to initiate a vote for his removal if he didn't step down.
Trump had previously <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38230714/trump-throws-support-behind-mike-johnson-amid-marjorie-taylor-greenes-ouster-threat-hes-doing-a-very">expressed his support</a> for Johnson during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago. Despite Trump&#8217;s efforts to quell the rift, Greene has <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38237873/marjorie-taylor-greene-isnt-backing-down-on-criticism-of-house-speaker-despite-donald-trumps-efforts">remained unyielding</a> in her criticism of Johnson.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38348258/marjorie-taylor-greene-takes-step-back-in-effort-to-remove-speaker-mike-johnson-but-blasts-him-as-a?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marjorie Taylor Greene Takes Step Back In Effort To Remove Speaker Mike Johnson But Blasts Him As &#8216;A Lame Duck&#8217;</a>
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News

Politics

General

Trump's Endorsement Fails To Quell Marjorie Taylor Greene's Conservative Rebellion Against Speaker Mike Johnson: 'Complete Surrender Is Not Acceptable'

In the early stages of the hush money trial, Donald Trump&#8217;s defense lawyer, Todd Blanche, appears to be losing credibility with the presiding judge.
What Happened: Judge Juan Merchan expressed skepticism during a hearing on Tuesday, April 23, when Blanche suggested that Trump was making efforts to adhere to a court-ordered gag order. The judge reportedly told Blanche, &#8220;You&#8217;re losing all credibility,&#8221; <a href="https://www.msnbc.com/deadline-white-house/deadline-legal-blog/trump-gag-order-trial-judge-merchan-todd-blanche-rcna148977">reported</a> MSNBC.
Merchan&#8217;s dissatisfaction arose from Blanche&#8217;s inability to respond to his inquiries during the hearing. The judge did not immediately decide whether Trump&#8217;s remarks against witnesses and jurors contravened his order. Following the hearing, the trial&#8217;s first witness, David Pecker, returned to the stand for direct examination by the prosecution.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38368085/what-happens-if-trump-gets-convicted-will-he-go-to-prison-heres-how-it-likely-to-play-out?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">What Happens If Trump Gets Convicted? Will He Go To Prison? — Here&#8217;s How It&#8217;s Likely To Play Out</a>
The diminishing credibility of Trump&#8217;s lawyer could have significant implications for the trial. Judges&#8217; daily decisions on matters such as witnesses, evidence, and scheduling can greatly influence a case, particularly if the jury perceives a judge&#8217;s dissatisfaction with a lawyer, according to the report.
Why It Matters: The trial, which began on Monday, is <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/04/38366379/trump-committed-conspiracy-to-undermine-the-integrity-of-a-presidential-election-prosecution-all">centered on allegations</a> that Trump committed a &#8216;conspiracy to undermine the integrity of a presidential election.&#8217; Pecker, former National Enquirer publisher, was a key witness, testifying about his role in <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/04/38392485/david-pecker-testifies-to-national-enquirer-buying-stories-that-could-damage-donald-trump-potent">purchasing and suppressing stories</a> to benefit Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign.
Moreover, Trump has been accused of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38368871/trump-allegedly-violated-gag-order-10-times-will-hush-money-judge-show-leniency-on-contempt-charges">violating a gag order multiple times</a>, leading to the hearing where Blanche&#8217;s credibility was questioned. If found in violation, Trump could face penalties ranging from a warning to a fine or even a short jail term.
Photo Courtesy: Shutterstock.com
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38351863/marjorie-taylor-greene-insists-motion-to-vacate-mike-johnsons-speakership-is-inevitable-do-the-right?itm_source=parsely-api" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Marjorie Taylor Greene Insists &#8216;Motion To Vacate&#8217; Mike Johnson&#8217;s Speakership Is Inevitable</a>
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 Benzinga Neuro, Edited by 
 
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 The GPT-4-based Benzinga Neuro content generation system exploits the 
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Trump Hush Money To Ex-President's Lawyer: 'You're Losing All Credibility'

CDTX

Trading Halt: Halted at 7:50:00 p.m. ET - Trading Halt: Halt News Pending

Well-known investor Chamath Palihapitiya recently shared the one question he asks potential job candidates he interviews in hopes to filter <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/12/36401990/5-simple-ways-to-sell-yourself-and-stand-out-in-a-job-interview">out potential applicants.</a>
The One Question: Palihapitiya said he has interviewed thousands of people between the companies he has run and <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/chamath-palihapitiya">companies he has invested in</a>.
When searching for potential job applicants, Palihapitiya said he has a go-to method for finding the right candidates.
"There's one question that I always go to that I think is the most predictive of your ability to contribute in a company," Palihapitiya <a href="https://twitter.com/theallinpod/status/1782503638406996456?t=muzOeaiDlMS0zQyJSY04vA&amp;s=19">said</a>.
The investor said that he tells a candidate to take a few minutes to think about something they are an expert on and then explain it to him in around two minutes.
Related Link: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/top-stories/23/12/36203650/dont-ask-this-question-in-a-job-interview-you-kill-your-chances-of-getting-hired">Don&#8217;t Ask This Question In A Job Interview, You Kill Your Chances Of Getting Hired</a>
Why It's Important: Palihapitiya said the question helps find out if the candidate has a clear mind, can simplify topics and can communicate properly to another person.
Palihapitiya said the ability to communicate and get someone else on the same page as you can be determined with the question.
"And that's a very powerful skill inside a company," Palihapitiya said.
The question also shows that people can "focus deeply on one goal."
The investor also said the question can help get rid of people who are coached or trained on how to ace an interview or can be too robotic in nature.
"That's a huge filter."
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/03/37562830/how-to-ace-the-most-important-job-interview-question-of-all-time">How To Ace The Most Important Job Interview Question Of All Time</a>
Photo: Featureflash Photo Agency on Shutterstock

Education

Chamath Palihapitiya Has One Key Question He Asks In Interviews: 'Very Powerful Skill Inside A Company'

Latin music revenue in the U.S. hit a new high in 2023, reaching $1.4 billion, marking a significant 16% growth from the <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/business-of-music">previous year. </a>
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) reported Latin music&#8217;s market share in the overall U.S. music market also climbed to 7.9%, a new peak, Variety<a href="https://variety.com/2024/music/news/latin-music-us-revenue-fastest-growing-us-market-1235978539/"> reported.</a>
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/24/04/38362990/taylor-swifts-the-tortured-poets-department-hits-1-6m-us-sales-sets-spotify-on-fire-with-ov">Taylor Swift&#8217;s &#8216;The Tortured Poets Department&#8217; Hits 1.6M US Sales, Sets Spotify On Fire With Over 300M Streams</a>
In dialogue with the magazine, RIAA&#8217;s Rafael Fernandez Jr. attributed this surge to the genre&#8217;s increasing popularity among a new generation of stars and the widespread availability of streaming platforms.
&#8220;Latin music has exploded in the U.S. over the last decade as a new generation of stars boosts the genre and streaming puts this dynamic sector at everyone's fingertips,&#8221; Fernández said. 
The rise of artists like Karol G and Peso Pluma played a key role in this growth. Karol G made history by becoming the first Latina woman to top the Billboard 200 with an all-Spanish-language album, &#8220;Mañana Será Bonito,&#8221; in February 2023. 
Meanwhile, Peso Pluma also made waves by claiming the highest-charting música Mexicana album on the Billboard 200 with &#8220;Genesis,&#8221; peaking at No. 3.
Furthermore, streaming platforms continued to dominate the listening experience for Latin music fans, generating over 98% of Latin music revenues. Paid subscriptions contributed the most to total revenues. 
However, platforms such as Alphabet Inc&#8216;s (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOGL#NASDAQ">GOOGL</a>)(NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GOOG#NASDAQ">GOOG</a>) YouTube, Universal Music Group&#8217;s (OTC:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UMGNF#OTC">UMGNF</a>) Vevo, and social media also played a significant role, accounting for nearly a quarter of the Latin market&#8217;s total value.
Despite the shift to digital platforms, digital and customized radio services, along with <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/23/03/31180475/vinyl-sales-in-the-uk-surpassed-cds-for-the-first-time-since-1987-what-does-this-mean">physical formats like vinyl albums</a>, still held a notable share of the market. 
"It's incredible to see the impact this genre is having on the overall U.S. market and the role streaming continues to play in helping fans connect as they discover new styles, artists and sounds,&#8221; Matthew Bass, RIAA vice president of research and gold and platinum operations said. 
&#8220;And just as we've seen vinyl surge in the overall market, Latin music has plenty of space to expand even deeper into this traditional format with new highs undoubtedly yet to come,&#8221; he added.
Read Next: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/entertainment/23/03/31229667/5-most-popular-latinx-artists-in-the-us-right-now-bad-bunny-karol-g-farruko-and-more">5 Most Popular Latinx Artists In The US Right Now: Bad Bunny, Karol G, Farruko And More</a>
Photo: Karol G via Shutterstock

Entertainment

GOOG

GOOGL

UMGNF

Karol G, Peso Pluma Propel US Latin Music Revenue To New Heights, Reaches $1.4B

Rush Enterprises (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RUSHA#NASDAQ">RUSHA</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.88 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $0.77 by 14.29 percent. This is a 17.76 percent decrease over earnings of $1.07 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $1.872 billion which met the analyst consensus estimate. This is a 2.09 percent decrease over sales of $1.912 billion the same period last year.

Earnings

Earnings Beats

RUSHA

Rush Enterprises Q1 2024 GAAP EPS $0.88 Beats $0.77 Estimate, Sales $1.872B Inline

Rush Enterprises (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/RUSHB#NASDAQ">RUSHB</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.88 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $0.82 by 7.32 percent. The company reported quarterly sales of $1.872 billion which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $1.882 billion by 0.53 percent. This is a 2.09 percent decrease over sales of $1.912 billion the same period last year.

Earnings Misses

RUSHB

Rush Enterprises Q1 2024 GAAP EPS $0.88 Beats $0.82 Estimate, Sales $1.872B Miss $1.882B Estimate

Guidance

TSLA

Tesla CEO Musk Says Thinks They Will Have Higher Sales This Year Than Last Year

Tesla CEO Musk Says Company Constitutes Majority Of His Work Time

<h1 class="wp-block-heading">Top Stories for April 23, 2024:</h1>
<ol>
<li>Cleveland-Cliffs Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CLF#NYSE">CLF</a>) reported <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/wiim/24/04/38378385/cleveland-cliffs-shares-are-trading-lower-after-the-companys-reported-worse-than-expected-q1-financi">first-quarter results</a>, including revenue of $5.2 billion, a net loss of $53 million and adjusted net income of $87 million. </li>
</ol>
Adjusted EBITDA reached $414 million, marking a significant year-over-year and quarter-over-quarter improvement.
The company announced the completion of a previous $1 billion share repurchase program, having bought back 30.4 million shares. It also introduced a new $1.5 billion share buyback initiative.&nbsp;
Steel shipments totaled 3.9 million net tons and the firm retired all remaining secured notes to enhance its liquidity position, which stood at $4 billion at the end of March 2024.
<ol start="2">
<li>Freeport-McMoRan Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FCX#NYSE">FCX</a>) reported strong first-quarter 2024 results with copper sales and unit net cash costs surpassing estimates from January 2024 and the first quarter of 2023. </li>
</ol>
Net income reached $473 million, with consolidated sales of 1.1 billion pounds of copper, 568 thousand ounces of gold and 20 million pounds of molybdenum.&nbsp;
Indonesia smelter projects are close to completion and expected to start in the second quarter of 2024. 
The company&#8217;s operating cash flows totaled $1.9 billion and capital expenditures were $1.3 billion for the quarter.&nbsp;
Kathleen L. Quirk will become CEO on June 11, 2024, succeeding Richard C. Adkerson.
Also Read:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/topic/mining"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/24/04/38364875/geopolitical-relief-triggers-gold-selloff-prices-dip-below-2-350-mark-mining-stocks-hit-hard">Geopolitical Relief Triggers Gold Selloff: Prices Dip Below $2,350 Mark, Mining Stocks Hit Hard</a>
<ol start="3">
<li>Worthington Steel Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/WS#NYSE">WS</a>) was honored as a General Motors Co (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/GM#NYSE">GM</a>) Supplier of the Year for the third time, previously winning in 2020 and 2021. </li>
</ol>
GM recognized 86 suppliers for their 2023 performance, emphasizing three core values: safety, inclusion and relationships. The award celebrates suppliers who contribute to GM's goals of innovation and high-quality vehicle production.&nbsp;
Worthington Steel provides flat-roll carbon steel coils used in GM&#8217;s vehicle production across facilities in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Mexico.
<ol start="4">
<li>Metals Acquisition Ltd (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MTAL#NYSE">MTAL</a>) released its Resource and Reserve Statement and three-year production guidance for the CSA Copper Mine, highlighting significant growth in resources and mine life. </li>
</ol>
Key updates include an extended mine life of 11 years up to 2034, a 67% increase from last year, and a 64% increase in contained copper to 0.5 million tons.&nbsp;
The measured and indicated mineral resources have risen to 229,000 tons of copper, with an additional 184,000 tons classified as inferred.&nbsp;
These enhancements occurred just 10 months post-acquisition, with continued drilling aimed at further expanding resources.
Now Read:<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/"> </a><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/m-a/24/04/38380999/exclusive-why-this-uranium-bull-market-is-different-weve-really-got-to-start-developing-mines-says-m">EXCLUSIVE: Why This Uranium Bull Market Is Different — &#8216;We&#8217;ve Really Got To Start Developing Mines,&#8217; Says Madison Metals CEO</a>
Benzinga Mining is the bridge between mining companies and retail investors. Reach out to <a href="mailto:licensing@benzinga.com">licensing@benzinga.com</a> to get connected with the Benzinga community!
Photo: Shutterstock

Commodities

MTAL

Cleveland-Cliffs, Freeport-McMoRan Report Q1 Results; Worthington Steel Gets GM Supplier Of The Year And More: Tuesday's Top Mining Stories

Tesla CEO Musk Says In Conversations With One Major Automaker Regarding Licensing FSD

WIIM

CSGP

CoStar Group shares are trading higher after the company reported better-than-expected Q1 financial results.

Flushing Financial (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FFIC#NASDAQ">FFIC</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.14 per share which met the analyst consensus estimate. This is a 133.33 percent increase over earnings of $0.06 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $45.481 million which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $48.286 million by 5.81 percent. This is a 12.82 percent decrease over sales of $52.170 million the same period last year.

FFIC

Flushing Financial Q1 2024 GAAP EPS $0.14, Inline, Sales $45.481M Miss $48.286M Estimate

Tesla CEO Musk Says May Be Able To Sell Optimus By End Of Next Year

Tesla CEO Musk Says Tesla Will Have 85,000 Nvidia H100 GPUS Training AI By End Of Year

<a href="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1620704/000147793224002292/medx_rw.htm" title="https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1620704/000147793224002292/medx_rw.htm">https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1620704/000147793224002292/medx_rw.htm</a>

IPOs

Med-X Withdraws IPO Plan; Elects Not To Pursue Sale Of Securities At This Time - Filing

A substantial slowdown in the shipping business caused United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UPS#NYSE">UPS</a>) <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/04/38376943/ups-delivers-mixed-bag-of-q1-results-maintains-guidance-despite-lower-volumes">to deliver lackluster first-quarter results on Tuesday</a>.
When compared to the same period last year, revenue declined 5.3% and operating profit was down 31.5% when adjusting for inflation.&nbsp;
The large drop in operating profit stems from <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/large-cap/23/08/33995076/ups-and-teamsters-seal-the-deal-ensures-170-000-per-year-for-drivers-the-next-5-years">recent salary negotiations between UPS and the Teamsters</a>, the labor union that represents the company's employees.&nbsp;
The historic wage negotiation closed last August and hit the UPS balance sheet by guaranteeing a $170,000 salary for delivery truck drivers over the next five years. Negotiations affect 340,000 UPS teamsters with higher wages and overall better working conditions, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/23/08/34101423/drop-off-your-old-gig-pick-up-this-pay-package-ups-drivers-make-170k-under-new-deal">making the $170k salary the new average for UPS employees</a>.
Nonetheless, shares of the company were up by 2.4% as Tuesday progressed, as quarterly profit beat analyst expectations, although they were on the decline for five consecutive quarters.
The company is boasting several positive news from recent times, including <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/04/38086914/postal-services-air-cargo-shift-to-ups-makes-everyone-a-winner">a new contract with the United States Postal Service (USPS) to provide air cargo services</a>.
The USPS dropped FedEx Corp (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/FDX#NYSE">FDX</a>) earlier this month as its main domestic air carrier, deciding not to renew a contract worth $1.5 billion, and choosing UPS instead. The new contract will go on at least for five-and-a-half years and have UPS as the primary contractor for the USPS' first-class mail, priority mail and priority express mail.
Read also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/38029989">UPS Vs. FedEx: Which Stock Boasts A Higher Upside? Here&#8217;s What Analysts Say</a>
The shift was considered a win-win for both competitors, as FedEx is looking to reduce its operations and take out $4 billion in structural costs by the end of fiscal year 2025.
On its previous quarterly call, UPS CEO Carol Tomé called 2023 "a difficult and disappointing year." The company experienced declines in volume, revenue, and operating profit in all three of its business segments, <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/01/36866048/these-analysts-cut-their-forecasts-on-ups-following-q4-results">causing analysts to cut their forecasts</a>.
Tomé blamed the macro environment, as well as the new employee deal as reasons behind recent drops in revenue.
This time, the executive showcased a more hopeful attitude. While average daily volume continued to decline, the rate of decline was slower in the first quarter both domestically and internationally.
To compensate for the decline in volume, the company announced earlier this year <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/earnings-misses/24/01/36849715/ups-slashes-12-000-jobs-in-cost-cutting-move-shares-plunge">plans to shed 12,000 positions, representing about 14% of its managerial workforce</a>, potentially saving the company $1 billion in 2024.
Tomé is expecting the USPS deal to bring in at least part of the revenue the company needs to compensate for losses in volume. The CEO said the deal will contribute to top-line growth, fitting "beautifully with our strategy to grow our B2B business."
Now Read: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com//node/38223600">Retail Resilience: Wayfair, Lowe&#8217;s, Best Buy — JPMorgan&#8217;s Top Stock Picks</a>
Photo: Shutterstock

Markets

UPS Earnings Show The Weight Of $170,000 Salaries While It Learns To Navigate Shipping Slump

Tesla Says It Expect New Model Production To Start Early 2025 If Not Late This Year

The company expects total capital expenditures to range from&nbsp;$130&nbsp;-&nbsp;$150 million&nbsp;in 2024,&nbsp;$130&nbsp;-&nbsp;$150 million&nbsp;in 2025, and&nbsp;$100&nbsp;-&nbsp;$120 million&nbsp;in 2026.

WIRE

Encore Wire Says Remain Focused On Long-Term Opportunities For Its Business As It Continues To Address Near-Term Challenges

David Pecker, former head of the National Enquirer, testified Tuesday about his role in purchasing and suppressing stories to benefit Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign, revealing details of his frequent communications with Trump and an unwritten agreement to publish favorable coverage of him while <a href="http://benzinga.com/general/politics/24/04/38366379/trump-committed-conspiracy-to-undermine-the-integrity-of-a-presidential-election-prosecution-all">targeting his political opponents.</a>
What Happened: During testimony Tuesday, Pecker shared details of the process of the National Enquirer buying stories <a href="http://benzinga.com/topic/donald-trump">related to Trump.</a>
Pecker said he previously bought stories from Trump based on "The Apprentice" in what he called a mutually beneficial relationship, NBC News <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/live-blog/trump-hush-money-live-updates-day-6-rcna148919">reported</a>.
The media mogul said interest in Trump "skyrocketed" after the success of "The Apprentice" and "Celebrity Apprentice."
Pecker said he previously spoke monthly or quarterly with Trump, and in some cases it was more frequent, depending on how much the former president was in the news. When Trump announced he was running for president in 2015, the two met more frequently.
Testimony about a 2015 meeting at Trump Tower between Trump, his former lawyer Michael Cohen and Pecker was a key part of the court proceedings on Tuesday. 
"Thinking about it as I did previously, I said what I would do is I would run or publish positive stories about Mr. Trump, and I would publish negative stories about his opponents," Pecker said. &nbsp;
The agreement was never put into writing, but was rather an agreement between friends, Pecker said Tuesday. Pecker added that running stories that were negative on the Clinton family often did well and pleased Cohen and Trump.
Pecker also said Cohen directed him to target certain 2016 presidential candidates with stories. This included running a story about 2016 Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz.
The media mogul said that it was common for women to sell stories to the National Enquirer or to other outlets. Stories about Trump or the 2016 election had to be brought to Pecker at the time, according to company rules he put in place.
Stories then were sent from Pecker to Cohen to be vetted.
One story that was brought up in court Tuesday was one from Dino Sajudin, a doorman at Trump Tower. The doorman tried to sell a story about an illegitimate child from Trump and a maid who worked in the building.
Pecker recalled calling Cohen on the story who said it was not true. Pecker bought the story for $30,000 to make sure another publisher didn't get their hands on it.
"I made the decision to buy the story because of the potential embarrassment to the campaign and Mr. Trump."
Pecker said he didn't publish the story until after the 2016 presidential election based on a request from Cohen.
Pecker also said that a poll run by the National Enquirer saying 80% of readers wanted Trump to run for president was later cited by the former president as part of his reasoning for running.
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What's Next: Another key part of the testimony by Pecker was of a story of former Playboy model Karen McDougal alleging an affair with Trump.
Pecker also told the court that he spoke more often with Cohen after the McDougal story began circulating. Cohen instructed Pecker not to talk on a landline and to use messaging app Signal, where messages are automatically destroyed, Pecker recalled.
This happened at the end of Tuesday's session and will likely carry over into Thursday when the trial resumes.
On Tuesday morning ahead of testimony, Judge Juan Merchan heard from the prosecution and defense about a potential violation of <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/general/politics/24/03/37945216/trump-hit-with-gag-order-in-hush-money-case-his-statements-were-threatening-inflammatory-denigra">a gag order imposed</a> on Trump before the trial.
Merchan said he would "reserve a decision" on if Trump violated the gag order with posts on social media.
Speaking to media after the trial Tuesday, Trump said that Merchan has taken away his "constitutional right to free speech" with the gag order.
"This is a kangaroo court," Trump said on social media Tuesday. &nbsp;
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