Will Trump testify at trial? ‘Absolutely’ is now ‘no decision’ yet'
The State of New York's prosecution of Donald Trump is nearing it end, as Judge Juan Merchan announced late Thursday afternoon final arguments could begin on Tuesday. But one question remains: Will the ex-president who is facing 34 felony charges in the election interference, falsification of business records, and hush money cover-up case, testify in his defense?
Just over one month ago Trump was asked that question. He quickly responded, "Yeah I would testify, absolutely."
Reporter: "Do you plan to testify at your trial?"
Trump: "Yeah, I would testify, absolutely, it's a scam." pic.twitter.com/00uKFjeWhl — Los Angeles Magazine (@LAmag) April 12, 2024
Trump appeared resolved.
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“I’m testifying. I tell the truth. I mean, all I can do is tell the truth. And the truth is that there is no case,” he said, as NBC News reported.
NBC added last week that Trump "told Newsmax two weeks ago that he would testify 'if necessary,' and on Tuesday he said in an interview with Spectrum News 1 Wisconsin that he would 'probably' take the stand, adding that he 'would like to.'"
But when Judge Merchan asked Todd Blanche, Trump's attorney, on Thursday, the answer was very different.
“That’s another decision that we need to think through,” he said, according to the Associated Press.
But Politico's Erica Orden reported, "Blanche says Trump hasn't made a final decision about whether to testify."
Last week, as the question of Trump's testifying loomed large, U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) insisted he would not.
"It’s over. Donald Trump has a right to not testify. Yet he PROMISED he would. Now it’s clear he won’t. The jury can’t consider this. But you can. He is chickenshit and you should conclude he’s guilty as hell."
On Wednesday, attorney George Conway addressed the topic, saying, "If he doesn't testify, it's because he's scared."
He also said, "in a million years, I would never tell him to testify. I would tell him not to testify."
Watch the video above or at this link.
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