Elie Honig Says Trump Shouldn’t Testify in NY Criminal Case [Video]

CNN Senior Legal Analyst Elie Honig said lawyers for Donald Trump should keep him off the witness stand in his Manhattan criminal trial – even if it means begging him not to do it.

The former president is charged with 34 counts of falsifying business records to conceal hush money payments to cover up extramarital affairs ahead of the 2016 election. Trump has pleaded not guilty to all counts. Jury selection in the case is set to begin on Monday.

There has been some speculation as to whether Trump will take the stand in his own defense. Appearing on Wednesday’s edition of The Lead on CNN, Honig explained why that would be problematic for the defendant.

“Elie, do you think Donald Trump is gonna testify in this case?” Jake Tapper asked. “And if you were his attorney, would you advise him to take the stand?”

Honig was blunt:

So on the second point, first, I would beghim not …