'Not relevant': Internet divided as Alvin Bragg seeks to cross-examine Donald Trump on civil cases amid hush money trial

WASHINGTON, DC: Prosecutors in New York would like to cross-examine former President Donald Trump over his multiple legal cases, should he decide to testify in his hush money trial, according to The Hill.

The office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg stated in court documents signed in March but not released to the public until Wednesday, April 17, that it will try to undermine Trump by questioning him over 13 court decisions against him or his businesses.

Alvin Bragg seeks to cross-examine Trump on civil cases

Notably, the list covers the whole range of Trump's recent civil lawsuits, including jury verdicts, gag order violations, and his most recent business fraud trial, which resulted in a compensation of about half a billion dollars. The prosecutors' motion is not supported by Trump's legal team, according to them.

In contrast to those past civil claims, Trump's hush money trial is a criminal prosecution, and he has indicated that he is willing to testify. However, this would be an unusual move for a criminal defendant.

He cannot be forced to testify by the prosecution, and every juror that was chosen has promised the judge that they would not hold it against Trump should he refuse to do so.

Moreover, the trial's judge, Juan Merchan, will hold a hearing later this week to decide the appropriate parameters for the prosecution's cross-examination of Trump. The ruling, which is referred to as a Sandoval hearing, is intended to assist Trump's legal team in deciding whether or not to call him to testify.

According to Bragg's newly released court documents, Trump 'repeatedly and persistently' falsified business records, issued false financial statements, and conspired to commit insurance fraud.

As a result, a New York judge found that Trump had conspired to alter his net worth for tax and insurance benefits. Bragg wants to raise the $354 million penalty that Trump was ordered to pay.

Additionally, the Manhattan district attorney plans to draw attention to Trump's violation of a gag order in that case, which prohibited him from discussing any court staff in public.

When the judge summoned the former president to enter the stand and explain himself, he was penalized $15,000. The judge also found that Trump's evidence 'rings hollow and untrue'.

In the two lawsuits filed by advice columnist E Jean Carroll, the prosecution stated they would also try to confront Trump over the jury's decisions. After a jury convicted Trump guilty of sexually assaulting Carroll in the 1990s, another jury ordered him to pay $83.3 million for defaming her reputation by denying her claims when she came forward.

Internet stays divided as Bragg seeks to cross-examine Trump on civil cases

People on the internet had mixed reactions as prosecutors in New York would like to cross-examine Trump over his multiple legal cases.

A user wrote on X, "Not relevant," while one added, "Reasonable". A person also stated, "Reasonable and entirely relevant if he chooses to testify. Which he should."

A person also said, "Fraud rulings are certainly relevant to a charge of falsifying business records. That said, I highly doubt Trump will testify," whereas one mentioned, "I’m very confused. Weisselberg’ sec daughter was on TV saying she brought boxes of documents etc to the DA. Information that was damming !!! Was this to just fluff????"

A person added, "Why is that allowed? He’s not in court for those other things. Seems like more rigged political stunts."

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.