Former President Donald Trump delivered lengthy remarks from Trump Tower in New York on Friday morning following his unprecedented trial that resulted in the conviction of 34 counts of falsifying corporate records.
Trump, the Republican Party's presumptive nominee for the 2024 elections, said he wished to testify in his NY criminal trial against Trump, although it appears he has been counseled otherwise.
“I would have testified. I wanted to testify,” Trump said from the podium.
“The theory is that you never testify, because as soon as you testify—anyone, if it was George Washington—you don't testify anymore because they catch you saying something a little bit wrong and then charge you with perjury. “
'But I didn't care. “I wanted to,” Trump repeated.
LEGAL EXPERTS SAY TRUMP CONVICTION IS A 'PURPORTABLE ENVIRONMENT' FOR APPEALS
Former President Donald Trump speaks during a press conference at Trump Tower, Friday, May 31, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)
But, he said, Judge Juan Merchan “let them comment on everything I was ever involved in.” Not this case – everything I've ever been involved in, and that's a first.'
“In other words, you could go into everything I ever did. Was he a bad boy here? Was he a bad boy there? And my lawyer said, 'Why do you have to go through this? All you wanted to do is simply testifying on this matter.'”
“Because I would have liked to testify, I would have liked to testify to this day,” Trump said.
“But you would have said something strange, like it was a nice sunny day and it was raining,” Trump said, apparently recalling a conversation with his legal adviser.
“And I really appreciate the large crowd of people outside. It's unbelievable what's happening. The level of support has been incredible,” Trump immediately added.
Trump was indicted by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg on 34 counts of falsifying company records. Trump pleaded not guilty to all charges.
TRUMP GUILTY ON ALL CRIMINAL CHARGES IN NEW YORK
Former President Donald Trump will appear in Manhattan Criminal Court in New York on Thursday, May 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, Swimming Pool)
Prosecutors had to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Trump falsified business records to conceal a $130,000 payment to Stormy Daniels, a former porn star, in the run-up to the 2016 election — in an effort to silence her about a alleged affair with Trump in 2006. They were ultimately successful. Trump has denied the affair throughout the trial.
“So the whole point is that these legal fees have been written off as legal fees,” Trump said Thursday. “Think about that.”
Trump said fighting the case against him “is very important, and that is way beyond me. And this shouldn't happen to other presidents. It should never happen in the future. But this is way beyond me. This is bigger. then Trump. This is bigger than me. This is bigger than my presidency.”
Sentencing is scheduled for July 11, four days before the Republican National Convention. Each charge carries a maximum prison sentence of four years. In total, Trump faces a maximum sentence of 136 years behind bars.
NY V TRUMP: PROSECUTION SAYS THEY GIVEN 'POWERFUL EVIDENCE' AGAINST FORMER PRESIDENT
Former President Donald Trump holds a rally in the historically Democratic South Bronx in New York City on May 23, 2024. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
“We are losing our country,” Trump said during his speech, which lasted about 40 minutes. He did not answer questions from the media.
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“And I really think that this is an event… what happened yesterday with this judge that we had a conflict with… he is a crooked judge. And you will understand that. And I say that knowing that it is very It's dangerous for me to say that. And I don't mind because I'm willing to do whatever I have to do to save our country and our Constitution,” Trump added.
