Will Donald Trump testify in his own defense? What lawyers are saying as prosecutors are expected to rest their case early this week
Donald Trump’s hush money trial could be wrapping up and depending on when closing arguments are delivered, the case could be in the hands of the jury to reach a verdict as soon as this week.
What remains less clear is whether the ex-president will take a stand in his own defense in this case. His attorney Todd Blanche declined to rule out testimony from Trump as the court concluded last week.
Trump himself has sent mixed messages on whether he would take a stand, saying last month that he would “absolutely” testify.
He also said he would testify “if necessary” and “likely.” At the same time, he recently wrongly told the media that he is not allowed.
But based on the latest activity of Trump lawyers and recommendations from legal experts, it seems unlikely that Trump will testify.
Donald Trump sat in court on May 16 between his lawyers Todd Blanche (left) and Emil Bove (right). On Thursday, Blanche declined to rule out Trump testifying in his own defense
Trump lawyer Will Scharf appeared on Fox News on Sunday, where he answered the looming question of whether the ex-president will take the stand.
Scharf, who is not specifically representing the ex-president in the hush money case, suggested this is not necessary.
“I think it’s very important to remember that in a criminal case the prosecutor bears the burden of proving every element of the crimes charged beyond a reasonable doubt,” Scharf said in response to whether he would recommend Trump to testify.
“Looking at the trial record over the last few weeks, I think the prosecution has absolutely failed to prove their case,” Scharf said. He said he believes every jury would “vote unanimously to acquit.”
βIn terms of whether witnesses will be called, including President Trump, that is something the defense team will have to consider after the prosecution rests.β
Trump lawyer Will Scharf will appear on Fox News on Sunday. He is not specifically representing Trump in the hush money trial but suggested the ex-president will not testify
Donald Trump speaks in court on May 16 with lawyer Todd Blanche. Trump has given mixed messages about whether he would testify. He previously said “I’m testifying” and “probably,” but he also falsely claimed he shouldn’t testify
The Washington Post reports this Over the weekend, four people close to the former president said the plan does not include him testifying.
A legal expert that Trump himself often mentions when he addresses the media outside the courtroom is Andrew McCarthy.
McCarthy wrote Friday in the National Review that “if Trump were to testify, the case would become a measure of his credibility, not its sufficiency [District Attorney] Bragg’s evidence.’
He argued that Trump is in a good position as he stands, but by testifying he would have to address not only Stormy Daniels’ salacious testimony, but also the recent civil fraud case and be held liable in the defamation case brought by E. Jean Carroll.
βBy not testifying, Trump would keep these two damaging court rulings out of the case,β McCarthy wrote.
Cross-examination of Trump’s former personal lawyer Michael Cohen will resume on Monday after he was brutally questioned by Trump’s lawyer Blanche last week. He has been on the stand for three days
Judge Juan Merchan told both sides to be ready for closing arguments in the case on Tuesday
Trump on Friday at son Barron’s graduation ceremony with former First Lady Melania. The court was absent that day so Trump could attend his son’s ceremony in Palm Beach, Florida
Testimony from Trump’s former personal lawyer Michale Cohen will resume Monday. On Thursday, he was subjected to a grueling cross-examination by Trump’s lawyer about his history of lying, including under oath.
After the cross-examination, there may be a lengthy detour by prosecutors, but they are expected to rest their case after his testimony.
Judge Juan Merchan told lawyers for both sides to be ready for closing arguments as early as Tuesday, indicating there could be an extremely short defense before the case goes to jury deliberations.
Merchan indicated that he was even willing to allow the trial to continue until Wednesday, a day previously free for other matters while the trial was in full swing. It indicates he may hope to fully wrap up the case before Memorial Day weekend.