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)
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.
- 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.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.