Former President Donald Trump is clarifying that a gag order will not prevent him from testifying in his criminal trial — despite previously suggesting otherwise.
On Friday, a reporter asked, “Is the gag order stopping you from testifying?”
“No. It won’t stop me from testifying. The gag order is not for testifying,” Trump responded.
He went on, “The gag order stops me from talking about people and responding when they say things about me. We have people saying things about me, and I’m not allowed to respond.”
“So, this judge has taken away my constitutional right. And as the Republican candidate, and somebody that’s leading Biden by a lot, I should be able to respond,” Trump added.
Watch the video below:
Reporter: Is the gag order stopping you from testifying?
— Acyn (@Acyn) May 3, 2024
Trump: No. It won’t stop me from testifying. The gag order is not for testifying. It stops me from talking about people and responding when they say things about me.. pic.twitter.com/jpsjCl0SxO
On Thursday, Trump claimed, “I’m not allowed to testify… I’m under gag order I guess, right? I can’t even testify.”
“We’re gonna be appealing the gag order. I’d love to answer their questions. They’re very easy questions. The easiest questions so far. But I’m not allowed to testify because this judge, who’s totally conflicted, has me under an unconstitutional gag order,” he insisted.
However, CNN’s fact-checker Daniel Dale refuted that claim stating, “This claim that the gag order means he can’t testify is just conjured out of thin air.”
“He can testify, and he is just making stuff up,” he added.
CNN's Daniel Dale: Trump Lying That Gag Order Prevents Him From Testifying
— RCP Video (@rcpvideo) May 2, 2024
Story — https://t.co/kP1op1xCZl
"This claim that the gag order means he can't testify is just conjured out of thin air… He can testify and he is just making stuff up." https://t.co/CWLeQQPrhM pic.twitter.com/dGFqgsP0Vg
Dale noted the gag order also does not prevent him from speaking to the media, making political posts, or attacking President Joe Biden or the judge or district attorney.
However, it does prevent him from speaking about jurors, potential witnesses, or court staff or junior prosecutors, for example.
