Legal and political advisors close to Donald Trump are urging him to maintain silence during his forthcoming criminal trial in Manhattan, sources tell Rolling Stone.
Efforts have been made internally to gently persuade Trump to heed their advice, although it remains uncertain whether the presumptive 2024 GOP presidential nominee will comply and refrain from turning the trial into a media spectacle.
The criminal case, initiated by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, revolves around undisclosed payments, including those to porn star Stormy Daniels, which prosecutors allege were orchestrated by candidate Trump to suppress potentially damaging news stories and bolster his 2016 campaign.
Michael Cohen, Trump’s former lawyer and fixer, stands as a pivotal witness for the prosecution. While Trump and his legal team vehemently deny the allegations, Bragg now characterizes Trump’s actions in 2016 not as mere attempts to conceal scandals but as acts of election interference.
Given the recent Supreme Court ruling, which delayed Trump’s federal election subversion trial until after the 2024 Election Day, the Manhattan criminal trial gains heightened significance. It’s highly probable that the Manhattan trial will be the sole legal proceeding preceding the November elections.
Close advisors and senior campaign officials have expressed concerns about polls indicating that a conviction this year could significantly harm Trump’s chances of winning back the White House.
Despite viewing the Manhattan DA’s case as the weakest among the four major criminal cases against him, Trump’s team fears negative publicity generated by a New York City trial could alienate swing voters or inadvertently strengthen the prosecution’s case.
With the trial set to commence later this month, against the backdrop of Trump’s anticipated 2024 rematch against President Joe Biden, legal and political consultants advise against Trump testifying.
They fear it would create unnecessary drama and expose him to potential perjury traps. Additionally, they urge Trump to refrain from courtroom theatrics and outbursts, advising a more restrained approach compared to his recent civil fraud trial in New York.
Efforts to guide Trump towards a subdued demeanor have involved coordinated discussions among attorneys and advisors. Click Next Page to continue reading.
