Trump’s lawyers called only two witnesses to present their defense arguments on May 21. Judge Juan Merchan told the jury that the trial would be adjourned until May 28 for final questioning before the jury deliberates.
The Guardian reported that Mr Trump would not testify, despite telling reporters in April that he would “absolutely” testify at the hush money trial. “I will testify. All I can do is tell the truth and the truth is there is no case,” he said at the time.
Former US President Donald Trump in court in New York City on May 21
However, he later gave an interview to Newsmax and said that he would only testify "if necessary". Ms. Alina Habba, Mr. Trump's legal spokeswoman, said on May 20: "Mr. Trump is very willing, he is competent and has nothing to hide. He is willing to tell the truth."
The former US president repeatedly claimed that he was not allowed to testify because of a court order prohibiting discussion, but Judge Juan Merchan rejected this claim. Legal experts said that Mr. Trump's refusal to testify was understandable, given his repeated statements that put himself in a difficult position.
At the trial, Mr. Trump’s lawyers asked Judge Merchan to dismiss the case before it went to the jury. The lawyers argued that Mr. Trump’s former subordinate, Michael Cohen, had lied in court, thus casting doubt on his testimony. However, the judge said the jury would evaluate the credibility of Mr. Cohen’s testimony, according to Reuters.
Trump is accused of covering up a $130,000 hush payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels, who claimed in the run-up to the 2016 presidential election that she had an affair with the former president. While the hush money was not illegal, Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records to hide the payment to Daniels. He has pleaded not guilty and says he never had sex with Daniels.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/di-nguoc-tuyen-bo-truoc-day-ong-trump-khong-lam-chung-truoc-toa-185240521224013111.htm
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