Trump lawyer Todd Blanche nodded in agreement while the former president said that a gag order prevented his testimony.
Former President Donald Trump has falsely claimed that his hush-money trial gag order means that he isn’t “allowed” to testify as part of his defense.
New York State Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan hit the former president with a limited gag order that prohibits him from speaking about jurors, witnesses, court staff and their family members. The order does not, however, have any impact on Trump’s right to testify in the criminal trial that marks the first of a former president in U.S. history.
While addressing the press outside the Manhattan courtroom on Thursday, Trump insisted that the gag order would block his testimony after being asked when he intends to take the stand. The ex-president’s lawyer Todd Blanche appeared to nod in agreement while the false claim was made.
“Well, I’m not allowed to testify, I’m under a gag order I guess, right?” Trump said while turning toward Blanche. “I can’t even testify … No, we’re going to be appealing the gag order. I’d love to answer that question … but I’m not allowed to testify.
