Trump attorney Todd Blanche slammed as he explains why ex-POTUS chose not to testify in hush money case

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Former President Donald Trump's attorney, Todd Blanche, revealed why his client did not take the witness stand in the hush money trial.

In an interview with CNN's Kaitlan Collins on Thursday, May 30, hours after Trump was found guilty on all 34 counts, the attorney said the 45th president wanted to testify and get his side of the story out.

"I think the judge had made some decisions before the trial, or the day of the trial started, about what would be allowed to be asked of him by the prosecutors if he took the stand," Blanche told Collins.

Judge Juan Merchan had allowed the prosecution to bring up questions about some of Trump's recent prominent legal cases, including the E Jean Carroll defamation case.

The attorney asserted some of those questions were complicated because of the ongoing appeals, but the decision to testify ultimately lied with Trump. However, the ex-president relied on his legal team's counsel and decided not to take the stand, which, according to Blanche, was the "right decision."

Todd Blache indicates that final decision to not take stand was Trump's

When Collins pressed whether his counsel to Trump was to not testify, Blanche defended his remarks, claiming he would never tell his clients not to testify. "That's their decision. And that's a decision that they have to make. But I want them to know what will happen on the good and the bad if they do take the stand," he said.

The Trump attorney further added he had no regrets about his client not taking the witness stand and that the conviction was not made on the grounds of it.

Another said, "Dude is a terrible lawyer. Idc what his reputation was before hand. He really was terrible during his cross examination and closing remarks were unethical."

During the initial stages and before the trial, the real estate mogul bragged he would testify in the case but later changed his stand. In a radio interview last week, Trump blamed Judge Merchan for not going forward with the decision to testify. He claimed the judge's rulings made it "very difficult" for him to testify.

Todd Blanche on why the defense did not summon key witnesses

The absence of certain witnesses who could have favored Trump was noted after the trial ended this week. The former president on May 29 claimed that the prosecution did not call certain witnesses because they would have sided with him. However, Trump avoided the fact that his defense could have summoned them.

Speaking to Collins, Blanche defended their decision not to call witnesses like Keith Schiller and Allen Weisselberg.

"Because we happen to live in America, and we don't have the burden of proof," the attorney argued, adding such a "loaded question" should not be asked to the defense attorney or defendant.

"As a defense attorney, you don't go into a case saying, I'm gonna fill the holes of the prosecution, right?" Blanche continued and said the prosecution should have summoned key figures like Schiller on the stand.

The 12-panel jury unanimously convicted Trump for falsifying business records to cover up a payoff to adult film star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 election to silence her about their alleged sexual affair. The sentence will be declared on July 11, and until then, Trump can remain free without bail.

Internet mocks Todd Blanche for why Trump did not testify

Netizens ridiculed Blanche's explanation of why his client chose not to take the witness stand in the historic criminal trial.

One user quipped, "Hope you got paid up front, Bubba." Meanwhile, another mocked Blanche, remarking, "Here's my refrigerated word salad leftovers."

"He wanted to testify and was told by his Lawyers , that it probably wouldn't help his case. It would likely make it worse...is what Blanche is skirting around saying," added a third user.

A fourth response read, "In other words, until I'm paid, I have nothing bad to say on the subject of a 34 count convicted felon."

Another person joked, "That answer makes as much sense as the entire defense he presented."

Someone else claimed, "This guy sounds like a lawyer that advertises his law practice on bus benches!"

"So… you let Trump make all the decisions and you wonder how you lost. lol," said an individual. Another user added, "There’s a man relieved that his nightmare is finally over."

 

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