Trump Won’t Testify in NY Civil Fraud Trial

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Facts

  • Former US Pres. Donald Trump on Sunday announced via social media he would not be testifying this week on the part of his defense in the New York Attorney General’s civil fraud case against him, his family, and his business. 1
  • Trump wrote he "successfully and conclusively" testified in this case, which he called directed by Pres. Joe Biden. He also claimed that NY Attorney General Letitia James, whom he called "racist," and Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron should be investigated. 2
  • Previously, Trump on Nov. 6 testified for prosecutors for more than 3 hours — denying any malfeasance in relation to accusations of inflating and deflating the value of his real estate to obtain favorable loans and insurance terms. 3
  • Prior to the start of the trial, Engoron, who is presiding over this case, found Trump liable for one fraud claim against him, revoking the Trump Organization’s business licenses in New York State. That decision is on hold on appeal. 4
  • James is seeking $250M in damages. Trump Organization could also be forced to hand control over to a court-appointed receiver and to sell several real estate holdings.5

Sources: 1USA Today, 2Daily Mail, 3Al Jazeera, 4New York Post, and 5BBC News.

Narratives

  • Anti-Trump narrative, as provided by MSNBC. Trump couldn't help but incriminate himself in testimony during this and other cases against him. The gag order which has been imposed by Engoron probably also affected this decision because Trump would have risked fines, or even jail time if he found himself again unable to stop attacking those covered by the protective order.
  • Pro-Trump narrative, as provided by Newsmax. Trump knows to quit when he's ahead, and he's smart to stop participating in this witch hunt by James, who ran for her office on a politicized, anti-Trump platform. Trump's prior testimony shot down these accusations despite attempts by the court to restrict his free speech with a gag order. Trump's defense witnesses have been impeccable as well. This case will be easily won by the former president.
  • Nerd narrative, as provided by Metaculus. There is a 46% chance that Donald Trump will be elected president of the United States in 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.