‘Are You Afraid To Testify, Sir?’ Reporters Pepper Trump Before And After Angry Courthouse Rant Attacking Judge
Reporters peppered former President Donald Trump before and after he ranted outside the courthouse, pressing him on whether he’ll testify — with one suggesting he’s “afraid” to.
Court resumed Monday morning in the Stormy Daniels hush money-election interference trial after a week that see-sawed between damaging direct examination of ex-Trump fixer Michael Cohen and cross-examinations that took chunks out of Cohen and his credibility. Cohen’s testimony continued on Monday.
The week was also characterized by a growing Greek chorus of Trump surrogates from Congress and other elected officials showing up to attack on Trump’s behalf.
On his way into court Monday morning, Trump paused to deliver an angry seven-minute rant loaded with familiar attacks and falsehoods, as well as now-customary recitations of supportive statements from pundits, and a rare shout-out to acting and singing legend Peggy Lee.
But the questions with which Trump was bombarded were almost unanimously about one thing — whether or not he will take the stand as the trial winds down:
REPORTER 1: Mr. Trump, are you (inaudible) to testify?
REPORTER 2: Mr. Trump are you surprised your lawyers advised you not to testify?
DONALD TRUMP: Thank you very much. I’m here instead of campaigning. As you know, I was supposed to be in a very different state this morning, and the judge actually decided to call this early. And yet, it looks like we’re going to have a very big gap between days. And it’s going to be determined right now in court.
But we’re here about an hour early today. I was supposed to be making a speech for political purposes. I’m not allowed to have anything to do with politics, because I’m sitting in a very freezing cold courtroom for the last four weeks. It’s very unfair–
…
He’s totally conflicted! This is the most conflicted judge, probably in the history of the court system. And everyone knows what I’m talking about! Thank you very much.
REPORTER 1: Will you testify?
REPORTER 2: Will you follow your lawyers advising you not testify?
REPORTER 1: Mr. Trump, do you want to testify?
REPORTER 2: Are you afraid to testify, sir?
Watch above via Pool.
