Donald Trump New York Fraud Trial: Ex-POTUS Makes Shocking Decision on Testifying in His Case

Former President Donald Trump announced on his social media platform, Truth Social, on Sunday that he will not testify in his civil fraud trial in New York, which is scheduled for Monday, according to CNN.

"WILL NOT BE TESTIFYING ON MONDAY," Trump said in a post.

Trump, facing allegations of inflating property values, had previously testified once in the trial.

His decision to forego further testimony was shared in a lengthy message where he criticized the attorney general's case and the overseeing judge.

The Donald Trump trial, spanning 11 weeks, is set to conclude this week, with a final decision anticipated in early 2024.

While the charges are civil, they are significant for Trump, a potential 2024 GOP presidential nominee, as they directly impact his brand.

Why Donald Trump Is Avoiding Testifying?

Trump's attorney, Christopher Kise, stated that the former president had already testified and believed there was no need for further discussion, per CBS News.

Kise criticized the judge for an alleged unconstitutional gag order and claimed that the judge ignored Trump's testimony and that of others involved in the financial transactions under scrutiny.

In a forceful social media post, Trump labeled the trial as "election interference" and a "witch hunt," declaring he would not testify on Monday.

"I have already testified to everything & have nothing more to say other than this is a complete & total election interference (Biden campaign!) witch hunt," so "I will not be testifying on Monday," Trump posted.

Despite his last appearance on November 6, Trump returned to the New York courtroom on December 7 as his defense questioned their final expert witness.

Closing arguments are set for January 11, following the submission of written filings by both sides in the weeks after the final witnesses are called. Judge Arthur Engoron indicated that his final ruling is likely to be issued several weeks later.

Testimony Highlights No Evidence of Donald Trump Fraud

Eli Bartov, an accounting professor at New York University, testified on Thursday and Friday, asserting that he found "no evidence whatsoever for any accounting fraud."

Addressing discrepancies in financial figures, Bartov explained that differences arise from varying definitions of value and are not indicative of fraud or error, NBC News noted.

"This is not fraud or an error because they use a different definition of value," Bartov said.

Bartov adds that valuations are subjective, emphasizing that the bank and other entities using the financial statements were aware of the need for their own due diligence.

"My analysis indicates that the statements of financial condition for all the years were not materially misstated," he stated.

Bartov, the 19th and final defense witness, emphasized the subjective nature of valuations.

Bartov disclosed receiving $875,000 from the Trump Organization and Trump's Save America PAC for his work on the case but insisted it did not impact his testimony.

The AG's office is expected to present rebuttal witnesses, and closing arguments are scheduled for January 11, with Judge Engoron anticipating a few weeks to issue his final ruling.

Trump has been present at the trial multiple times, including during Bartov's testimony for the defense last Thursday.

Outside the courtroom, he expressed dissatisfaction, lamenting being in New York instead of campaigning in early swing states despite his voluntary attendance.

"I should be right now in Iowa, in New Hampshire, in South Carolina. I shouldn't be sitting in a courthouse," Donald Trump remarked.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Trump says he won't testify at NY civil fraud trial. Legal expert has theory why - From CNN