The Daily Fuckup

Donald Trump said Sunday, Dec. 10, 2023, that he would not testify again in his New York civil fraud trial on Monday, Dec. 11, reversing an earlier signal that he would return to the witness stand. His lawyers said he had already testified in the case and had nothing more to add.

Trump had previously taken the stand once in the trial, which centers on allegations that he and his company inflated asset values to secure better terms from banks and insurers. The case was still moving forward after his announcement, and the court did not alter its schedule because of it.

The decision mattered because Trump had told supporters and reporters he intended to appear again. Instead, he stayed out of the witness chair as the trial entered its final stretch. Testimony later ended on Dec. 13, 2023, and closing arguments were scheduled for Jan. 11, 2024.

The trial could still carry major consequences for Trump and the Trump Organization, including financial penalties and court-ordered business restrictions. The judge has already heard weeks of testimony and reviewed a record built around financial statements, emails, and other documents. Trump’s choice not to return to the stand avoided another round of questioning, but it did not end the case or erase the evidence already in the record.