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Former President Donald Trump revealed on Monday that he would testify in the Stormy Daniels' alleged hush money payment trial.
During a press conference in New York City, Trump was asked by reporters if he'd testify in the trial brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.
"I would have no problem testifying," Trump said. "I didn't do anything wrong."
Trump also suggested that he's planning to appeal the trial date set for April 15 and said he's unsure if there will even be a trial following his appeals.
The Context
On Monday, Trump arrived in court in New York City for a hearing relating to alleged hush money payments to adult film star Stormy Daniels, prior to the 2016 presidential election.
Last April, Bragg's office filed a 34-count felony indictment against Trump, alleging that the former president "repeatedly and fraudulently falsified New York business records to conceal crimes that hid damaging information from the voting public during the 2016 presidential election."
What We Know
Trump has continued to deny any wrongdoing in the case, but New York Supreme Court Justice Juan Merchan set a trial date for April 15.
During his press conference, Trump was asked about a possible conviction in the trial involving alleged hush money payments and if he is concerned about it possibly hurting his chances in the 2024 presidential election, for which he is the presumptive Republican nominee.
"Or it could also make me more popular, because the people know it's a scam," Trump said.
Views
Just before entering the court room on Monday, Trump delivered a nine-word message to reporters, saying: "This is a witch hunt. This is a hoax."
In a blog post last week, former federal prosecutor Joyce Vance wrote about Trump's case involving alleged hush money payments.
"It looks like Trump's complaints about discovery violations by prosecutors in the criminal case are falling apart now that the District Attorney has had the opportunity to respond," Vance wrote.
In a post to X, formerly Twitter, CNN's Kaitlan Collins wrote: "Donald Trump is not happy after Judge Merchan rejected his efforts to delay or dismiss the criminal hush money case, which will begin with jury selection April 15. He claims Alvin Bragg was forced into bringing the case, which is not true."
What's Next
As Trump noted during his press conference, he is likely to appeal the April 15 trial start date in the hush money payment case. It is unclear if the appeal will result in the trial being canceled or delayed.
Update 3/25/24, 2:15 p.m. ET: This story has been updated with further information.
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About the writer
Matthew Impelli is a Newsweek staff writer based in New York. His focus is reporting social issues and crime. In ... Read more