Both the prosecution and the defense teams have rested their cases in Donald Trump’s criminal ‘hush money’ trial in New York City. And, quel surprise, the Donald did not testify on his own behalf. Before the trial started, Trump suggested he was eager to take the stand. “I’m testifying. I tell the truth,” he told reporters at Mar-a-Lago. But today, as he exited the courtroom and raised his hand in a fist, Trump did not answer reporters’ questions about why he had not testified in the trial.
Breaking: Donald Trump’s defense rested its brief case Monday afternoon after calling just two witnesses on his behalf in the hush money criminal trial. The defense’s case lasted just over two hours compared to weeks for the prosecution.
— Jim Sciutto (@jimsciutto) May 21, 2024
The Donald’s decision not to take the witness stand isn’t really a surprise for those of us in the real world. Testifying carries serious risks for any criminal defendant, especially for one who tends to go off-script, speak extemporaneously, and undercut his prior statements, as he has shown in testimony in other civil matters. But he loves to project what HE considers “strength,” so he’s hinted that he might testify at some point. Hints that no one took seriously, just as no one really takes the Trumpster seriously.
Trump’s defense team rested its case today without calling him to testify in his ongoing New York hush money criminal trial. https://t.co/FdYn13TMbb
— Axios (@axios) May 21, 2024
More from the New York Times:
Robert J. Costello was the main witness Donald J. Trump’s lawyers called in his criminal trial, and like Mr. Trump, he has great disdain for the prosecution and its case.
During his brief time on the stand Tuesday, Mr. Costello had tense exchanges with Susan Hoffinger, the prosecutor cross-examining him, as they sparred for a second straight day.
Shortly after Mr. Costello took the stand on Monday, prosecutors objected to a series of questions. When the judge sided with them, Mr. Costello muttered “jeez,” registering his dismay and irking the judge, Juan M. Merchan. Mr. Costello tried to retract his remark, mumbling under his breath that he wanted to “strike” it from the record.
The testimony continued, but after more objections, Justice Merchan again grew frustrated. He dismissed the jury, and excoriated the witness: “If you don’t like my ruling, you don’t say, ‘jeez,’ and you don’t say, ‘strike it,’ because I’m the only one who can strike testimony in court,” he said, adding: “Are you staring me down?”
The tension eventually became so heated between the judge and Costello that the judge cleared the courtroom. According to the transcript, Judge Marchan informed Costello his condut was “contemptuous.” The judge went on to say, “If you try to stare me down one more time I will remove you from the stand.”Marchan then turned to the defense lawyers and added, “I will strike his testimony, do you hear me?” Summations are expected to occcur next Tuesday following the three-day holiday weekend. Deliberations could begin as early as next Wednesday.
The Hill 12:30 Report: After 20 days of trial proceedings, former President Trump’s defense team rested its case this morning in the Manhattan hush money trial. https://t.co/2sGnSeKPYU
— The Hill (@thehill) May 21, 2024
Donny boasted he’ll testify in NY Election Interference case!
Donny said the gag order won’t let him testify!
Judge Merchan made it clear Donny has every right under law to testify & may testify if he wants!
Donny isn’t testifying, & defense rested its case!
Is Donny afraid?
— Meidas Barry (@bpsbarry1) May 21, 2024
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