Sarah Burris is a long-time veteran of political campaigns, having worked as a fundraiser and media director across the United States. She transitioned into reporting while working for Rock the Vote, Future Majority and Wiretap Magazine, covering the Millennial Generation's perspective during the presidential elections. As a political writer, Burris has had bylines at CNN, Salon.com, BNR, and AlterNet and serves as a senior digital editor for RawStory.com.
Donald Trumpdid not testify Tuesday before his defense rested in the Manhattan hush money trial, despite him vowing to take the stand to clear his name of the 34 counts of falsifying business records to cover up a hush-money scheme that he's accused of.
One of his former lawyers suggested it could be due to exhaustion.
Trump has spent much of the trial falling asleep or closing his eyes during proceedings. But several times he's said that he wants to defend himself and pledged to testify.
Critics have accused him of cowardice for reneging on that promise.
Even when speaking to the press outside the courtroom Tuesday, Trump claimed he might still speak out — despite his chance to take the stand now having passed.
"Why would I take the chance? But we do want to defend our Constitution. So, at some point, maybe I will take a chance," Trump told the reporters.
It sent MSNBC hosts to ask former Trump lawyer William Brennan why he declined to address the jury.
"I mean, number one, he doesn't have to. That's what the constitutional protections are all about," he said.
But the anchors were curious not about why he refused to testify, but why he wouldn't give a reason when the press asked.
"I mean, it's easy to come up with bombast before the trial," Brennan said. "But when you're in the midst of — this was a fairly long trial for misdemeanors and possibly a felony. He's probably tired at this point and he just doesn't have to is the short answer."
Trump has frequently made fun of President Joe Biden, calling him "sleepy Joe" and implying that he is too old to be in office. Comedians and pundits rushed to mock Trump as he fell asleep in his own criminal trial.
