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In a recent twist at his criminal hush-money trial, Donald Trump explained his decision not to testify—a reversal from his previous assertion that he “absolutely” would take the stand.
Trump’s Defense Rests, But He Stays Silent
On Tuesday, Trump’s legal team concluded their defense without calling the former president to testify. This trial involves 34 felony counts of falsifying business records linked to a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels to keep her quiet about their alleged affair. Despite his earlier statements, Trump did not testify.
In an interview with WABC Radio, Trump reiterated his frequent complaint about the judge overseeing the case. Judge Juan Merchan has had to manage Trump’s courtroom behavior, even threatening jail time over repeated gag order violations.
Trump Blames the Judge
Trump cited Judge Merchan’s rulings as the main reason for not testifying. “He made rulings that make it very difficult to testify,” Trump said, adding that anything from his past could be brought up. Trump has faced other legal battles, including E. Jean Carroll’s defamation cases and a civil fraud case by Letitia James, which Merchan ruled could be discussed if Trump took the stand.
Last month, Trump seemed to misinterpret Merchan’s rulings, claiming he was “not allowed to testify.” Merchan clarified in court: “You have an absolute right to testify at trial, if that’s what you decide to do after consultation with your attorneys.”
Trump’s Shifting Stance
Despite initially promising to testify, Trump appeared to reconsider on May 2. He later told Spectrum News 1 Wisconsin that he would “probably” testify. However, during his weekly interview on WABC Wednesday, Trump criticized the “rigged judges” and “rigged system” in New York, calling it a “horror show.”
“The other reason is because they have no case,” Trump stated. “They have no crime, there’s no crime. They have no case, it’s a corrupt system.”
Conspiracy Theories and Immigration Claims
In the same interview, Trump continued to assert a conspiracy against him, alleging the White House’s involvement in his legal troubles. He also criticized illegal immigration, claiming without evidence that immigrants are bringing diseases like tuberculosis into the U.S. The CDC, however, notes that the U.S. has one of the lowest TB rates globally.
Trump’s remarks extended to various regions, alleging immigrants are arriving from South America, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and China, speaking “languages we don’t even know about.”
As the trial progresses, Trump’s strategy and public statements remain a focal point of media and public interest, illustrating his contentious relationship with the judicial system and his continued influence in political discourse.
