Judge corrects Trumps claim that gag order prevents his testimony [Video]

The judge handling former President Trump’s hush money case clarified Friday that Trump is allowed to testify during the trial, correcting the former president’s assertion a day earlier that a gag order prevented him from doing so.

Judge Juan Merchan at the start of Friday’s proceedings in the case said it had come to his attention that there may be a misunderstanding about the gag order and Trump’s ability to testify, calling it important to clear up.

“I want to stress Mr. Trump that you have an absolute right to testify at trial,” Merchan said before the jury was brought into the room. “Just as you have the absolute right not to testify.”

Merchan noted that the gag order does not prevent him from testifying and only applies to statements he makes outside of court.

The judge’s comments came after Trump, speaking to press after Thursday’s proceedings had adjourned, was …