Trump slammed for falsely claiming he isn't 'allowed' to testify at hush money trial due to gag order

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Former President Donald Trump came up with a false claim about the gag order against him in the ongoing hush money criminal trial.

Speaking to reporters outside the Manhattan courthouse on Thursday, May 2, the GOP presumptive nominee baselessly said he was "not allowed" to testify in the trial because of the gag order, according to Newsweek.

Justice Juan Merchan, who is overseeing the trial, hit Trump with a gag order to prevent him from making public remarks about the potential witnesses. However, the ex-president violated it multiple times, causing Merchan to issue a $9000 penalty over his frequent public attacks against trial witnesses on the Truth Special platform.

In response to the prison threat for the transgression of the gag order, Trump removed the social media posts on April 30.

Trump's false claims about gag order

While addressing reporters outside the courtroom, Trump was asked when he would take the witness stand in the hush money trial.

"Well, I'm not allowed to testify, I'm under a gag order I guess, right?" Trump responded while briefly turning to his attorney, Todd Blanche, who nodded in agreement with his client's false claim.

"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," the White House hopeful whined. Trump also criticized the court, calling it "rigged" and the gag order "unconstitutional."

"We're appealing the gag order and let's see what happens," he added.

In April, Trump declared he would testify and "tell the truth" in the criminal trial that stemmed from his attempt to cover up the hush money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the final days of the 2016 election campaign to silence her about the alleged affair. He faces 34 charges for falsifying the business records to pay the $130,000 to Daniels through his ex-attorney Michael Cohen. 

Legal experts quickly disagreed with Trump's baseless assertion, pointing out that Justice Merchan's gag order against the defendant did not prevent Trump from taking the witness stand.

"The gag order has nothing to do with that," attorney Karen Friedman Agnifilo said on CNN. "Of course [Trump] can testify. He has an absolute right to testify, and he is not restricted in terms of what he can talk about as long as it's relevant, admissible evidence," she continued, adding that the gag order "only talks about statements outside of court."

Internet slams Donald Trump

Lashing out at Trump over his false claims, netizens said the ex-president was lying.

One user said, "This is what we call lying in broad daylight." Another remarked, "Uh that's a blatant lie and he has ever right to testify in his own defense. The gag order has nothing to do with testifying."

"Trump really thinks his voters are stupid ... just unbelievably stupid," one user fumed. Another response read, "What an imbecile, not to mention a liar."

Another user added, "Showcasing eternal victimhood again!"

Someone else argued, "This is just another damn lie, by Trump, for talking points to his propagandist liars, who will then spew this lie to the MAGA cult! No gag order stops Trump from exercising his constitutional right to testify on his behalf! His attorney is also a damn liar, in agreeing with him!"

"He's not only a liar of the highest order, but a moron too thinking he could say this w/ no consequences or followup. The Judge is now obligated to question him to make sure that he understands he has an absolute right to testify or not testify, and that the gag order is no bar," an individual wrote.

Another outraged remark read, "Such a liar and a coward!"

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.