‘Oh My Gosh’: CNN Legal Analyst Recoils at Thought of ‘Reckless’ Decision to Put Trump on the Stand in Manhattan Criminal Trial 

CNN Senior Legal Analyst Elie Honig gave a terse reaction to the idea of former President Donald Trump testifying in his New York criminal trial that is set to begin April 15.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is prosecuting Trump for allegedly falsifying business records to cover up hush money payments he made to conceal extramarital affairs ahead of the 2016 election. Trump has pleaded not guilty. On Tuesday, Judge Juan Merchan issued a limited gag order meant to prevent Trump from attacking witnesses, prosecutors, and jurors.

Appearing on AC360 on CNN hours later, Honig was asked about the trial.

“How long do you think this trial will go on?” host Anderson Cooper asked.

“So, the D.A. said six weeks, but trials – having done them – have a way of sliding and extending,” replied Honig, a former federal prosecutor. “Maybe a juror gets sick, maybe a witness’s testimony lasts longer.”

Honig added that the length of the trial also depends on the type of case the defense mounts.

“But of course, the big question is, will Trump take the stand?” he went on. “We don’t know, but if he does, this could go seven, eight weeks”

CNN Correspondent Kara Scannell noted that the Trump team doesn’t “have a big list of witnesses” and suggested the defendant may testify.

“It would be extraordinary if he took the stand,” Cooper said.

“Oh my gosh,” Honig blurted out. ” It would be, I think, reckless, but it would be certainly very dramatic.”

Honig has made clear his position on putting Trump on the witness stand. In September, the former president suggested he would testify in his own defense in his federal criminal trial in Florida, where he has been indicted for his retention of government documents after leaving office.

“So if you have to go to trial, will you testify in your own defense?” a radio host asked Trump.

“Oh, yes, absolutely,” he replied.

At the time, Honig said Trump testifying in his own defense “would be a disaster.”

Watch above via CNN.