Donald Trump says he has decided not to testify a second time at his civil fraud trial in New York
By means ofMICHAEL R. SISAK Associated Press And JILL COLVIN Associated Press
December 10, 2023, 3:40 PM
FILE – Former President Donald Trump, center, sits at the defense table with his attorney's Christopher Kise, left, and Alina Habba, at the New York Supreme Court, Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez, Pool, File)
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — Donald Trump said Sunday that he has decided not to testify a second time at his civil fraud trial in New York.
In a social media post, the former president said he was “VERY SUCCESSFUL & CONCLUSION” testified last month and saw no need to reappear.
Trump was expected to return to the witness stand Monday as the defense's last major witness in the case, which threatens his real estate empire and tarnishes his image as a successful businessman.
Trump announced he would recant his testimony in an all-caps, multi-part statement on his Truth Social platform, writing: “I WILL NOT TESTIFY ON MONDAY.”
Trump was often defiant and combative as he testified on November 6. He sparred with the judge and convicted New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is suing him. Trump defended his wealth and denied wrongdoing.
When questioned by the state attorneys prosecuting him, he often responded with lengthy tirades. Trump's lengthy answers irritated the judge, who repeatedly asked Trump to keep his answers short. “This is not a political rally,” the judge said.
If Trump had returned to the witness stand on Monday, his lawyers would have conducted the questioning, but state attorneys could have cross-examined him.