Trump’s testimony risks

And Iran's president dies in helicopter crash [VIEW IN BROWSER]( MSNBC DAILY Understand today's news Monday, May. 20, 2024 THE LATEST [Alternate text] Why Trump lawyers are likely advising him to not take the stand By Katie S. Phang Just a few days ago, when asked by Judge Juan Merchan if there was any indication his client intended to testify in his criminal trial, Todd Blanche responded that “a determination on that issue” had yet to be made. Perhaps it was because he didn’t want to show his hand. But as of right now, there is still no clarity on whether Donald Trump will take to the witness stand. Trump’s prior track record when providing sworn testimony has been poor, to say the least. Last year, during his civil fraud trial, he took the stand and ran his mouth with such abandon that Justice Arthur Engoron had to tell Trump lawyer Chris Kise to “control your client.” Engoron then threatened to remove Trump as a witness. Ultimately, Trump finished his rant and Engoron pretty much discounted his testimony. Then, during his sworn, videotaped deposition in one of E. Jean Carroll’s defamation cases, Trump famously mistook E. Jean for his ex-wife, Marla Maples, in a photograph. Considering how badly things have turned out for him, Trump testifying is a failing proposition. This is a preview of Katie S. Phang's latest article. [Read the full column]([here](.//link.msnbc.com/click/35435080.66726/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubXNuYmMuY29tL29waW5pb24vbXNuYmMtb3Bpbmlvbi90cnVtcC10cmlhbC1qdWRnZS1tZXJjaGFuLXRlc3RpbW9ueS1nYWctb3JkZXItcmNuYTE1MDg1NT9jaWQ9ZW1sX21kYV8yMDI0MDUyMCZ1c2VyX2VtYWlsPWQ3ZGM3NDUxNzI5N2IzOTcxYWExNGQ2ZjMzMTEzNWEwODc4ZjhmNjQwZmExYTEwMTlmMTU3YjY1YzFiNWRkMWQ/58292da26e4adc7b0b8b4914Ce8f50f6a//link.msnbc.com/click/33703841.493917/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubXNuYmMuY29tL29waW5pb24vbXNuYmMtb3Bpbmlvbi9zdGF0ZS1vZi10aGUtdW5pb24tYmlkZW4tY2hpbmEtcmNuYTY5NTc1P2NpZD1lbWxfbWRhXzIwMjMxMjE1JnVzZXJfZW1haWw9OWE1Mzg4ZGUxZjY3YmViZTM5N2E2YWNkZTBjZDM2Nzc4ZWE5NzIyYzE2ZDZhODJkYTY0MzRmZTA0YjQ5M2MwMw/63b7505fe39cd6134201d6b8Ba8b69b00     TOP STORIES [Alternate text] [MATT GERTZ]( [Fox News’ Trump trial coverage proves it’s no longer Rupert Murdoch’s network]( Trump’s effort to delegitimize this trial leans heavily on favorable commentary from his friends at Fox. [Read more.]( [FRANK FIGLIUZZI]( [Greg Abbott pardoning Daniel Perry is unprecedented – and inexcusable]( Setting Daniel Perry free suggests that in Texas, it’s open season on protesters whose cause isn’t approved by the governor. [Read more.]( [JAMES DOWNIE]( [Trump just gave Biden the perfect excuse to revive a key point of attack]( The message should be simple: Biden is fighting inflation, while Trump protects those who profit from it. [Read more.]( [KAVITHA A. DAVIDSON]( [What Caitlin Clark’s rocky WNBA start really means]( Caitlin Clark's rocky WNBA start is a teachable moment for new (and old) fans. [Read more.](     TOP VIDEOS [Alternate text] [A photo of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi]( [WAY TOO EARLY]( [Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi dead in helicopter crash]( [WATCH NOW]( [INSIDE WITH JEN PSAKI]( ['Moscow Tools': Daily Show’s Jordan Klepper investigates MAGA's fascination with Putin]( [WATCH NOW]( [THE WEEKEND]( [Rudy Giuliani served with indictment papers just after mocking Arizona case]( [WATCH NOW]( [WEEKENDS WITH ALEX WITT]( [Biden addresses Israel-Hamas war and extremism during Morehouse College speech]( [WATCH NOW]( MORE FROM MSNBC [Alternate text]     Tonight, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis joins Rachel Maddow in an exclusive interview ahead of tomorrow's primary election in Georgia. Watch The Rachel Maddow Show at 9pm Eastern on MSNBC.     "Into America" has a live show coming up! MSNBC's Trymaine Lee will moderate a debate with acclaimed author of the 1619 project Nikole Hannah-Jones and The Grio columnist Michael Harriot at the 92nd St. Y in New York City. Join them Wednesday, May 29 for a conversation on reparations, a continuation of Lee's most recent "Into America" podcast series "Uncounted Millions." You can join the event in-person or via live stream. Visit [92ny.org/events]( for tickets.     MSNBC INSIGHTS [Alternate text] Have you ever wanted to provide MSNBC with your opinion about their TV programs, documentaries, and digital products, such as MSNBC.com, newsletters, and podcasts? Now is your chance! [Join the MSNBC Insights Community.](   Download the MSNBC App: 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 [PRIVACY]( | [CONTACT]( | [UNSUBSCRIBE](listvar=sub_daily)