Donald Trump has reversed his decision to testify in his New York fraud trial, stating that he will not take the stand because he believes he has "nothing more to say." The former US President announced this unexpected change on Truth Social, emphasizing that he has already provided extensive testimony during the ongoing trial, where he, along with his sons and other Trump Organization executives, faces accusations of inflating property values for financial gain.
Trump's decision not to testify comes after a four-hour session in November where he faced questioning from the prosecution, which alleges that the defendants manipulated real estate values to secure favorable loans and insurance terms. The civil suit, initiated by New York Attorney General Letitia James, poses a significant threat to the Trump real estate empire.
Despite facing legal challenges, including the potential liquidation of assets and a $250 million financial penalty, Trump has characterized the trial as a partisan "witch hunt." The trial, focusing on charges such as insurance fraud, is expected to proceed without Trump's testimony. The judge, Arthur Engoron, has already ruled that there is "conclusive evidence" of Trump overstating his net worth by billions of dollars. The trial is scheduled to continue, with a verdict anticipated by the end of January.
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