In what could be a risky move for prosecutors, former federal prosecutor Sunny Hostin warned on Tuesday that putting former first lady Melania Trump on the witness stand in her husband’s Manhattan hush-money trial could create reasonable doubt for the jury. The case revolves around hush money allegedly paid by former President Donald Trump to keep an alleged affair with ex-porn star Stormy Daniels under wraps. However, Hostin argues that if Melania Trump doesn’t care about the affair, it could impact the jury’s decision.
Sunny Hostin fears that calling Melania Trump to testify could backfire on the prosecution. Hostin explains that New York has a marital communications law and a spousal privilege, and Trump would have to waive that privilege for Melania to testify. She doesn’t believe Trump would do this, nor does she think he would want her to be put through the ordeal of testifying.
Hostin states, “I don’t think he wants her to testify, I don’t think he wants to put her through that, I don’t think she wants to be put through that.” She further explains that calling Melania to testify would be a gamble for the prosecution because if she says on the witness stand that she believes her husband, it could sway the jury.
In the opening days of the trial, several jurors have been selected, and Trump’s attorneys have made numerous requests regarding the trial schedule. Judge Juan Merchan denied their request to excuse the former president from court to attend the Supreme Court hearing on presidential immunity. As for Barron Trump’s graduation ceremony, set to take place in mid-May, Merchan has not given a definitive answer, stating that the decision would depend on the trial’s progress.
In light of Melania Trump’s potential impact on the case, the prosecution faces a challenging decision whether to call her as a witness. As the trial unfolds, it will be crucial for prosecutors to weigh the risks and rewards of putting Melania on the stand while navigating through this high-stakes case.
One thing is clear – the possibility of Melania Trump testifying in her husband’s Manhattan hush-money trial adds another layer of intrigue to a case already fraught with tension. Prosecutors must carefully consider the potential implications of this development and strategize accordingly to successfully navigate these uncharted waters. With the world watching, the outcome of this trial could have far-reaching consequences for all involved.
