1. The GOP frontrunner’s defense team announced they were done presenting their brief, volatile defense case.
2. Trump’s final decision to not take the stand follows weeks of speculation.
3. The trial, which involves charges related to falsifying business records, is about to end, with Trump’s legal team putting only two witnesses on the stand in his defense.
The GOP frontrunner has decided not to testify in his trial on charges of falsifying business records, following weeks of speculation. The trial, described as a political “witch hunt” by Trump, is nearing its end without his testimony. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has charged Trump with 34 felony counts related to a hush-money payment made to Stormy Daniels in 2016. Only two witnesses were presented by Trump’s defense team, one of which supported the argument that Trump was not involved in the scheme to silence Daniels. This lack of testimony from Trump marks a sharp turn from his earlier claim that he planned to testify in court. The trial has heard testimony from key witnesses such as Cohen, who detailed how Trump approved payments for the hush money, indicating that it was aimed at benefiting his campaign. Social media responses from a potential expert witness, Brad Smith, criticized the judge, calling the trial a “farce.” Despite the absence of Trump’s testimony, the trial is moving towards closing arguments as it approaches conclusion.