Donald Trump announces he will not testify in New York fraud trial

Former US President Donald Trump has cancelled his expected appearance in the witness box at his New York civil fraud trial, just hours before it was due to go ahead.

Writing on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, the Republican frontrunner, said that he “very successfully and conclusively” testified last month and saw no need to do so again.

He had been expected to return to the witness box on Monday as a coda to his defence against New York Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit.

In that case, Mr Trump is alleged to have inflated his wealth on financial statements used in securing loans and making deals. The case threatens Mr Trump’s property empire and cuts to the heart of his image as a successful businessman.

Ms James seeks penalties of more than $300m (£239 million) and wants Mr Trump banned from doing business in New York.

On Sunday Mr Trump wrote: “I HAVE ALREADY TESTIFIED TO EVERYTHING & HAVE NOTHING MORE TO SAY OTHER THAN THAT THIS IS A COMPLETE & TOTAL ELECTION INTERFERENCE (BIDEN CAMPAIGN!) WITCH HUNT, THAT WILL DO NOTHING BUT KEEP BUSINESSES OUT OF NEW YORK, I WILL NOT BE TESTIFYING ON MONDAY. MAGA!”

The decision was a reversal of his position in recent days, when his lawyers said he was insistent on giving evidence again despite their concerns about a gag order that has cost him $15,000 (£12,000) in fines for disparaging the judge’s law clerk.

A Trump spokesperson did not immediately respond to questions about his decision, the Associated Press reported.

“President Trump has already testified. There is really nothing more to say to a judge who has imposed an unconstitutional gag order and thus far appears to have ignored President Trump’s testimony and that of everyone else involved in the complex financial transactions at issue in the case,” Trump lawyer Christopher Kise said on Sunday.

Mr Trump’s decision came days after his son, Eric Trump, ditched his return appearance in the witness box. Mr Trump said on social media that he had told Eric to cancel.

His cancellation caught court officials by surprise, meaning the trial will be on hold until Tuesday.

In a statement, Ms James said whether Mr Trump gave evidence again or not, “we have already proven that he committed years of financial fraud and unjustly enriched himself and his family. No matter how much he tries to distract from reality, the facts don’t lie”.