As former President Donald J. Trump’s criminal trial concludes, a center-left group is trying to induce the Republican presidential candidate to testify.
“Donald, stand your ground or admit you’re a coward,” a new ad from the group Third Way blares. “If you’re innocent, why are you violating the Fifth Amendment? Will you accept it?” Trump’s past remarks are emphasized. ”
Third Way co-founder Matt Bennett said five-figure digital ad buys are happening “everywhere President Trump would be.” He said the spots will run “in New York, specifically around Trump Tower and the Mar-a-Lago courthouse, and in Dallas near the National Rifle Association meeting where Mr. Trump is scheduled to speak on Saturday.”
“He’s been speaking harshly for years about how only criminals and gang members accept No. 5,” Bennett said. “Now it looks like he’s trying to do it himself. We wanted to remind him of that and, frankly, see if we could provoke him into testifying. Because if he did that, it might not work out for him.”
Trump’s lawyers told the judge Thursday that they have not yet decided whether Trump will testify. Trump has invoked the Fifth Amendment before.
Trump is accused of falsifying 34 business records related to hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels. He denies the charges.
The ad buy was first reported by Politico.
