Donald Trump's attorneys can only do so much to keep their client off the witness stand, but in the end the former president will do what he wants, his former attorney said Monday.
Jim Trusty, the attorney who bailed on Trump's classified documents, appeared on CNN to discuss the prospects of whether his ex-client should take the stand in his ongoing criminal hush money trial.
"In terms of testifying on the witness stand — I'd say 'Look, let's make this about Michael Cohen and nothing else,'" Trusty said during an appearance on CNN. "It shouldn't [be about] testifying."
Cohen, Trump's former fixer, is expected to be Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's star witness in a trial centered around money allegedly paid to buy adult film Star Stormy Daniels' silence ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records.
On Monday, Trusty said it would not be a wise move for Trump to submit to a grilling under oath, but noted that might not stop the former president.
"I think it's a bad idea," said Trusty. "I would say no, but it's going to be one of those things where the client ultimately has control of that...the lawyers can only woodshed you so long and push, so we'll see."
He argued it would behoove Trump to let his lawyers focus on Cohen instead, but that the former president likely disagrees.
"I think you want the entire focus of this jury on Cohen's credibility," said Trusty. "And I know [former] President Trump probably thinks that he could go out there and change the day by having his opportunity to address the court."
Ultimately, Trusty commiserated.
"I get the frustration," he said. "This is kinda true in the white-collar sphere all the time you know c-suite executives, guys that are used to controlling things."
Wolf Blitzer interjected to ask if Trusty believes Trump should just "shut up."
"I don't know about 'Shut up' because there's a political lane you can't avoid," he responded. "This is a guy running for president."
Watch the video below.
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