Former President Donald Trump says he will not testify in New York fraud trial

Former U.S. President Donald Trump leaves the courtroom during a break, as he attends the Trump Organization civil fraud trial, in New York State Supreme Court in the Manhattan borough of New York City, U.S., December 7, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Segar

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Former President Donald Trump said Sunday that he would not testify in a New York courtroom this week, where he had been expected to appear for a second time to make the case that his company did not misrepresent the value of its properties to win favorable financing.

The civil fraud trial, which began in October, is one of several legal challenges the former president faces as he mounts a comeback bid for the White House.