Former President Trump decided not to testify in his New York fraud trial, announcing on Truth Social that he had already provided comprehensive testimony. Initially expected to face questions from his defense team on Monday, Trump had previously testified last month and was unexpectedly summoned to the witness stand earlier. He claimed to have successfully testified in what he labeled a politically motivated trial.
Trump’s lawyer, Chris Kise, asserted that there was nothing more to say, citing the judge’s unconstitutional gag order and alleging disregard for Trump’s testimony. Trump consistently characterized the case as a politically driven “witch hunt,” blaming President Biden for its initiation by New York state officials.
The $250 million lawsuit, brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James, alleges a decade of fraud, accusing Trump, the Trump Organization, and Trump’s sons of manipulating asset values for tax benefits and insurance coverage. Trump and his sons deny the allegations. James highlighted that the judge had already found the Trump Organization liable for fraud before the trial began.
Trump’s decision not to testify on Monday left his previous testimony as the final defense against fraud claims. His adult sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, had previously testified for prosecutors, distancing themselves from the Trump Organization’s financial statements. Eric Trump’s planned defense testimony was canceled after testimony from Deutsche Bank representatives and experts.
The defense, which began presenting its case in mid-November, included witnesses that, according to James, inadvertently supported her arguments. Some expert witnesses allegedly admitted discrepancies in property valuations on Trump’s financial statement, while others claimed Trump personally asked for assistance at his Mar-a-Lago club, suggesting a conflict of interest. James emphasized that, despite Trump’s attempts to divert attention, the truth was on her side, as stated by the judge.