'Daddy is going down': Don Jr faces online mockery as he blames 'clown' jurors for Trump not testifying in court

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Former President Donald Trump chose not to testify at the conclusion of his Manhattan criminal trial, despite his previous assertions that he would.

The trial centers on allegations that Trump created false business records to cover up a hush money payment related to an alleged affair. Trump's decision has sparked widespread debate and criticism.

Donald Trump Jr labels prosecution a 'sham'

Outside the courtroom, Donald Trump Jr expressed his disdain for the prosecution, labeling it a "sham" in a conversation with MSNBC's Vaughn Hillyard.

"Why would you justify this insanity? Look at the clowns that they put on there—you don't subject yourself to that nonsense," Trump Jr reportedly said, referring to either the jury or the prosecution's witnesses, including Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels.

"You are going into a kangaroo court. There's nothing more. Nothing less. There'd be absolutely no reason, no justification to do that whatsoever," he added.

Hillyard, recounting his attempts to question Trump Jr about his father's decision not to testify, explained, "I attempted to ask multiple times about the decision for Donald Trump not to testify, because it was Donald Trump himself who repeatedly suggested that he would, in fact, take the stand and tell his truth to this jury."

Despite these assertions, when the moment arrived, the defense rested its case without Trump taking the stand. The prosecution argues that Trump's decision to remain silent under oath undermines his public claims of innocence.

As the trial progresses, Trump continues to insist on his innocence, claiming the trial is a politically motivated "scam," Raw Story reported.

Trial exposes tabloid intrigue and alleged misdeeds

During the trial, jurors have been confronted with the complex and occasionally unsavory aspects of the tabloid industry.

Evidence introduced includes the National Enquirer's "catch and kill" tactic, which was designed to suppress unfavorable stories about Trump.

Adult film actress Stormy Daniels offered explicit testimony regarding an alleged sexual encounter with Trump, which he denies ever happened.

Meanwhile, Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer, positioned his ex-boss at the heart of the scheme to purchase Daniels' silence as the 2016 election approached.

The prosecution's case relies heavily on the business records from the Trump Organization, which categorized payments to Cohen as legal expenses. Prosecutors argue that these payments were actually reimbursements for the $130,000 Cohen paid Daniels to maintain confidentiality.

Trump faces 34 counts of falsifying business records, a felony charge in New York that carries a potential prison sentence of up to four years, although a conviction does not necessarily guarantee imprisonment.

Despite the gravity of the charges, Trump has vehemently denied any wrongdoing. "They have no case," he declared outside the courthouse. The trial marks the first of four criminal cases against Trump to reach the courtroom, and it could be the only one to do so before the 2024 presidential election.

Reactions to Trump Jr's comments

The reactions to Trump Jr's comments have been swift and sharp, with critics accusing him of attempting to intimidate the jury by calling them "clowns."

"Great. Jury intimidation. Just like a crime family!" one posted on X.

"Now innocent jurors are clowns? The clowns were all in blue suits and red ties in the front of the courthouse," another wrote.

"You'd think coming from a family of clowns he'd know more about clowns," someone else offered.

"Junior’s entire fate is tied to the estate. Daddy is going down," a comment read.

"Jurors ought to convict just by the BAD CIRCUS SHOW going on outside the courtroom," another chimed in.

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