The judge overseeing Donald Trump's hush money trial clarified that the gag order does not prevent the former president from testifying on his own behalf. Judge Juan M. Merchan made this clarification in court in New York, stating that the order does not limit what Trump can say on the witness stand.
Trump had previously stated to reporters that he was not allowed to testify due to the gag order, but the judge's comments made it clear that Trump is free to testify if he chooses to do so. Merchan emphasized that criminal defendants have a constitutional right to take the stand and cannot be forced to incriminate themselves.
