'Least bad option': CNN expert explains why Trump ducked fraud trial appearance
Donald Trump decided against testifying in his own defense at his New York fraud trial, and CNN's Elie Honig said he made the right decision.
The former president had planned to take the stand again Monday in the $250 million fraud trial that threatens his real estate empire, but Honig said Trump faced mostly bad options in the case filed by attorney general Letitia James.
"It was the least bad option for him," Honig said. "I think he found the least bad option in declining to testify.
"There is no upside for him, it's all risk. He has already testified in this case, didn't go great. The judge has already ruled against him on one of the counts. He's put on — they've put on — a fairly vigorous, fulsome defense. They have had bank witnesses saying, 'No, we knew, we loaned him freely and he paid us back, we made profits, everything is fine.'
"They called experts, accountants, that kind of thing. There is no benefit for him taking the stand. If he did take the stand, he would be questioned by his own lawyers first and then cross-examined by the AG's office."
Honig went on: "I'm sure I've said on this show I would be advising him as strongly as possible, and as a lawyer you can only advise, you can't force, I would say do not take the stand, there is no need — we have what we need to make our argument.
"Let it go, be the better man by taking a step back here. I don't know what's in his mind, but legally I think any lawyer would tell you it's the right move not to testify."
Watch the video below or at this link.
- YouTube youtu.be