Trump Won't Testify at Civil Trial

Facts

• On Sunday it was confirmed that the deadline had passed for former Pres. Donald Trump to request to testify in the civil trial concerning accusations he raped writer E. Jean Carroll in the 1990s and subsequently defamed her.¹
• Previously, Trump's legal team had said that he wouldn’t testify, but last week in Ireland, Trump said he would “probably attend.” However, a 5 p.m. Sunday deadline set by the judge passed without Trump agreeing to appear. Trump’s defense won’t call any witnesses.²
• Carroll is seeking compensatory and punitive damages of more than seven figures and has already testified over several days in the ongoing two-week trial.³
• The jury has been shown sections of a videotaped deposition from October 2022 in which Trump consistently denied the allegations.⁴
• During his comments in Ireland, Trump called the process a "disgrace" and characterized the allegations as "false.”⁵
• Following closing arguments, jury deliberations could begin Tuesday.⁶

Sources: ¹Reuters, ²The Hill, ³POLITICO, ⁴Associated Press, ⁵Business Insider, and ⁶CBS.

Narratives

• Democratic narrative, as provided by MSNBC. Trump was just being his boastful self when he said he might appear at this trial. He knows, and more importantly, his lawyers know, there’s no way for him to smooth things over after the jury heard him say in recorded sworn testimony that he felt he could get away with assaulting women because of his star status. This case is lost, and Trump and his representatives know it.
• Pro-Trump narrative, as provided by The Western Journal. There’s no reason for Trump to testify in this politically partisan sham of a trial because he clearly and truthfully shot down all of Carroll’s accusations in his deposition. He didn’t know Carroll and he certainly didn’t rape her. Just like other suits and investigations, this case is meant to derail Trump’s return to the White House, but instead, it’s making him more popular among Republicans.

Predictions