Topline
Former President Donald Trump said Friday he plans to testify at his highly anticipated hush money criminal trial, which begins next week as the former president faces 34 felony charges in Manhattan.
The conference was held at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)
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Key Facts
Trump said, “I will testify, absolutely,” before calling his trial a scam and repeating his attacks on Judge Juan Merchan, saying the judge hates him and that no one can believe the fact he hasn’t recused himself from the case.
The former president also claimed it is unfair he’s having a trial in New York, adding his trial is “bad for the judicial system in New York.”
When asked by reporters if it is risky for him to testify, Trump said all he can do is tell the truth and that there is no case against him.
Jury selection for the hush money trial is set to begin Monday, with the trial expected to last for about six weeks.
Trump has been charged with 34 felony charges for allegedly falsifying business records, with each count punishable by up to four years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Big Number
136. That’s the maximum prison sentence for all of Trump’s charges in the hush money case together, though it is unlikely the former president will face such a conviction.
Key Background
Trump’s falsified business record charges are linked to alleged reimbursement payments he made to ex-attorney Michael Cohen after Cohen paid adult film actress Stormy Daniels $130,000 to allegedly cover up an affair she claimed to have with Trump, who allegedly designated the payments as being for legal services. Trump is legally required to attend the hush money trial in Manhattan, though it is unclear if he will be present for proceedings Monday, when he is scheduled to provide a deposition in a separate legal case related to the parent company of Truth Social. The former president unsuccessfully attempted to delay the hush money trial four times and tried to move it out of New York.
Further Reading
Trump’s First Criminal Trial Starts Monday—Here’s Who Could Show Up And What To Watch For (Forbes)
Trump’s Hush Money Trial Starts Monday Despite His Protests— Here Are His Only Chances At A Last-Minute Delay (Forbes)
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