'Hook, line, and sinker': Trump's lie about taking the witness stand exposed

Donald Trump's attorneys were on attack mode today in court as they cross-examined a former attorney for Stormy Daniels. Plus, Trump is trying out a new excuse to get out of taking the stand himself. Peter Baker, Tim O'Brien, Dave Aronberg, and retired Judge Ladoris Cordell join Stephanie Ruhle to break down all of Thursday's courtroom developments.
» Subscribe to MSNBC: / msnbc
Download our new MSNBC app for the latest breaking news and daily headlines at a glance: www.msnbc.com/information/dow...
Follow MSNBC Show Blogs
MaddowBlog: www.msnbc.com/maddowblog
ReidOut Blog: www.msnbc.com/reidoutblog
MSNBC delivers breaking news, in-depth analysis of politics headlines, as well as commentary and informed perspectives. Find video clips and segments from The Rachel Maddow Show, Morning Joe, The Beat with Ari Melber, Deadline: White House, The ReidOut, All In, Last Word, 11th Hour, and Alex Wagner who brings her breadth of reporting experience to MSNBC primetime. Watch “Alex Wagner Tonight” Tuesday through Friday at 9pm Eastern.
Connect with MSNBC Online
Visit msnbc.com: www.msnbc.com/
Subscribe to the MSNBC Daily Newsletter: link.msnbc.com/join/5ck/msnbc...
Find MSNBC on Facebook: / msnbc
Follow MSNBC on Twitter: / msnbc
Follow MSNBC on Instagram: / msnbc
#MSNBC #Trump #hushmoney

[@MrMisuma]

More people need to confront Trump directly every time he lies.

[@conniewojahn6445]

Right, but how? diaper don lies every time he opens his mouth, who could keep up with that?

[@mile_high_topher]

Who has the time for that, though? You'd need to hire people to follow Trump around and instant speed fact check him... that could actually be fun.

[@robinbanks66]

The media need to STOP repeating Trump's LIES, TRUMP knows that when he lies the media will play it all day or until the next lie.

[@blahpunk1]

There would need to be a crew, that works in shifts. 2 shifts a day 7 days a week with an additional person on call that will sometimes be needed to confront Trump during his late night twitter screeds.

[@JayMakepeaceAllan]

I believe that would take more than one person.

[@MicheleBourque-tq4gy]

He will not testify because he will perjure himself.

[@johnwilson8482]

Trump will not testify because he is a COWARD. He knows the prosecution will make him look STUPID.

[@crashcup100]

BINGO

[@JodoKast1221]

He perjures himself every time he opens his mouth!

[@tomsenft7434]

The judge that was being interviewed thought that T**** misspoke out of stupidity; he IS stupid, but he didn't misspeak. He wants his donating supporters to think he is not allowed to testify at his own trial.

[@franreid8203]

Wrong, he was never going to testify, another excuse.

[@crashcup100]

It's not an excuse. It's a lie. Don't try to cover his lies with sweet frosting.

[@josefeibl8230]

Never testify. Always plan for an appeal.

[@kayrutledge1970]

@@crashcup100What makes you think he is obligated to take the stand?

[@johnnystewart83]

I would NEVER vote for donald trump..EVER!!

[@kenc7120]

Minors cannot vote in US elections kid.

[@dsmith6346]

I haven't and I wont.😜

[@JayMakepeaceAllan]

​@@kenc7120unfortunately gullible dumbasses can. They are easily identifiable by their red hats.

[@paulschulte1064]

@@kenc7120

[@diaryofagordito4566]

​@@dsmith634600

[@jeanpageau1948]

Calling Trump a liar is like calling Melania a golddigger.😁

[@3rdatmosphere]

Need a laugh button

[@seansparks2803]

Oh, don't be so cynical. We all know that Melania married the "orange baby" purely based on true love. Love at first sight by all accounts, the man of her dreams she's supposed of said. 😂😅😂

[@spyder1364]

Wasn't melania one of the women trump cheated on marla maples with

[@joancooney7724]

😂😂

[@Gmalisaz]

😂😂😂😂

[@nicole127x]

He thinks "testifying" is what he does after court in the hallway

[@CantankerousDave]

From context, that's exactly what he thinks "testifying" means.

[@santyclause8034]

So do his evangelical base.

[@user-kj5td9hd3s]

trump thinks " testifying " means he can start lying or take the fifth.

[@auplait]

The difference here is that Trump wasn't just another crooked, underhanded, or downright despicable NY businessman, he was President of the United States! The position of POTUS absolutely should be held to a higher standard of integrity.

[@smkh2890]

He was a candidate. But the motive was to protect the public perception of him before the election.

[@DebHammersley]

@@smkh2890He committed some of these crimes whilst he was POTUS and I am sure there are going to be more come out.

[@michaelevenson7886]

@@DebHammersleywhat crime? Tell me the ACTUAL crime, not just “Trump is a meanie!”

[@Car_Mo]

@@michaelevenson7886 So, how was life under that rock for the last 8 years?

[@smkh2890]

@@DebHammersley this is what the current case before the Supreme Court is about, what actions are official and which are not, so which can be prosecuted once he is out of office. Unfortunately the Supreme Court seems reluctant to define the difference.

[@lynryall1317]

You all listening Christians ????? Shame on you.

[@michaelbailey5736]

They don't care they're hypocrites.

[@joycemoore8098]

trump has been sleazy his entire life. period

[@ArchYeomans]

True.

[@AnthonyOMulligan-yv9cg]

Not to mention Cheesy

[@steellio5526]

Partying with Epstein 🤢

[@johnwilson8482]

@@steellio5526 And making very suggestive comments about his own daughter. Good grief, why would anyone vote for a man like Trump?

[@alexanderevanska4274]

His whole family are insidiously sleasy.

[@samdonelson8050]

trump is a coward always has been.

[@tommoclement]

Nailed i!

[@crashcup100]

BINGO

[@glennwelsh9784]

He's done this before, so it's beyond predictable. "I want to testify, but 'they' won't let me." He hides his cowardice by pretending to be a bold, powerful, and courageous strongman, and then he accuses others of conspiring to impede him as an excuse for why he can't or won't act on his supposed courage.

[@JT1358]

If by 'they' he means his lawyers then it will be first time ever that he's listened to them

[@DebHammersley]

Yes like when he said he had to leave Scotland early so that he couldn’t go back and testify in the EJ Carroll trail and he didn’t. 😮

[@larryhuston8433]

I'm going to testify!!! 😡 I can't testify because there's a gag order. 😩 The BS never stops, someone please pull the plug on Dolt 45's Mr. Microphone.

[@jtsharp6129]

Pull the plug on his life, more like it😅

[@santyclause8034]

He gas zero remorse, another red flag: there is something absent from that guy in the attic upstairs.

[@Samantha-lg1bw]

Is he ignorant about his right to testify? I think not. He is playing to his base, who are ignorant.

[@arthurr7866]

" Mr. Trump are those your signatures on these checks ? " Case closed ! LOCK HIM UP !

[@josefeibl8230]

Sounds like reasonable doubt to me

[@pamtuffield9385]

Trump isn’t just “shabby”, he’s sleazy.

[@patrickvanrinsvelt4466]

Like eating a stick of butter

[@niclewis9610]

If Trump testified he'd simultaneously commit perjury, incriminate himself and plead the Fifth.

[@amberandrews6842]

YES

[@daviegriffin3539]

📣 *The Trump Trifecta.* 📣 -Felonious45 🤥

[@marciabryan9856]

That is why he should testify!!!

[@crashcup100]

All while sleeping

[@Itried20takennames]

If he testified, Trump would also: - defame E Jean Caroll again - threaten the jury’s families - go on a tangent about how magnets don’t work when wet - doze off and drool a couple times

[@BlueJazzBoyNZ]

Donald Tell Your Truth ! Get on the stand. Be a Man not a coward.

[@kenc7120]

If you cry harder it might actually happen.

[@camelshit-on-the-walls446]

The way to get gim to do it might be to beg him NOT to do it, imploring him to please be careful of his health, strongly insinuating that he is too frail and old to manage such a thing.

[@MPMMPM-vy9cu]

Can't and won't get on the stand... It would interfere with the grift!

[@BlueJazzBoyNZ]

@@kenc7120 Good luck with your J6 FBI interview I'm sure Donald will pay your lawyers fees.. Right Rudy ?

[@astrobubbers]

Trump never tells the truth because he has no truth. He has built a world of Lies around himself

[@kennethdodemaide8678]

"Hook, line, and Stinker". The stench of Trump will outlast religion. This is a stain on the US.

[@joshyoung1580]

​@@GlennC789 if Trump wins, not even religion will survive. Nothing will.

[@Vince_F]

🤣😂🤣😂🤣‼️

[@anushkasekkingstad1300]

Both religion and Trump are a stain on the US.

[@Lionel-yq3kt]

😊

[@amberandrews6842]

He doesn't know how to do anything except lie.

[@stevevanscoik398]

Flush Trump.

[@utopianna]

Lawrence O’Donnell skewered Trump today and all Trump could do was scour at him. MSNBC has been delivering on this trial. Love your panel tonight, too, Steph.

[@niclewis9610]

💯 The malignant man-baby narcissist was all triggered by Lawrence 😂

[@Longtack55]

Scowl and scour

[@Swnsasy]

@@Longtack55 🤭too funny

[@brentandjo_t5182]

He looks really tough... not!!!

[@sneakerset]

" skewered " Duly noted. Haha

[@aegisgfx]

TINY ORANGE HANDCUFFS NOW!!!!

[@storm2000808]

orange jump suit, orange hair, orange make up...

[@earthycare4097]

The tiny little white shoes are necessary to complete the jail outfit. Lol

[@darrylwood1220]

Don't ya mean three teenie weenie handcuffs 😂

[@Gmalisaz]

😂😂😂

[@Dennis-ur9yu]

😅😅😅

[@conehead210]

Trump: it's cold in this court Judge: bailiff, bring out the electric chair!

[@patrickvanrinsvelt4466]

That's a bit harsh. I want to see him in prison getting done to him what he has done to America for decades.

[@fazm.9254]

We don't talk like MAGA cult members.

[@kurman4749]

If only.

[@alanwatterson2850]

What is wrong with people? This guy thinks he's playing an accordion at every appearance but he doesn't have one. Throw him out of the band and get him therapy!

[@conniewojahn6445]

Did anyone really think diaper don would actually take the stand? Any excuse works for his loonie supporters, they'll believe anything he says whether right or wrong.

[@Swnsasy]

Hey, hey, hey! It's Donald Vonshitzenpants to you madam!! 😂😂

[@conniewojahn6445]

@@Swnsasy I'm not sure how that's spelled. I see Donald von Schitzenpantz, Donald Von Shitzinpants, and a few other spellings. I prefer donald (I refuse to capitalize his name) von (lower case) Schitzinhispantz. But, whatever way you what to spell it is fine with me.

[@Swnsasy]

@@conniewojahn6445 I am right with you! Definitely going to drop the capital! I also like the donald Snoreleon! 🤭

[@victors8465]

He did surprise everyone when he took the stand in the NY Civil Fraud trial. Not that this helped him any. He had to be repeatedly warned against saying things he was instructed to not speak about or against making one his rambling speeches. In the end his testimony amounted to nothing. And this is why Trump says that he is prevented from speaking. His version of "speaking" is to tell lies without refrain and not having to explain that there is no factual basis for the things he wants to say.

[@Jonbwriter]

I knew he wasn't going to testify. His lawyers must know that would be a disaster for their case.

[@boozmiller]

Trump's starting to look like he's in an open casket 🧟

[@boozmiller]

C'mon Russian bots!

[@user-xr8dq6ly7g]

Donald is dying before our eyes, withering on the vine

[@reubenherrera9827]

​@@boozmillerI think they are giving up. Or eating dinner right now.

[@pho-kingsoup8126]

"That's my wife, Marla." Please take the stand dirty donnie, please!

[@sheilaboston7051]

"Who's this woman here? I don't know her." That's your wife, Ivana, donnie - mother of your four children.

[@lynnwilliams5735]

Trump used that same gag order excuse for reversing his decision to testify in one of his other cases. He always starts out saying he will definitely testify and then says nope I'm under a gag order. He's such a liar.

[@colinapril4367]

Look at the demeanour of his lawyer. As soon as Trump said he is not allowed to testify, the lawyer drop his eyes and look downwards. Interesting.

[@user-bt1wj8ou3f]

From now on instead of a thousand dollars per gag order violation, one night in jail for every time he oversteps.

[@biglongcadillac]

History is listening. Vote Blue Save America 🇺🇸

[@user-ou3dm6th3x]

I wonder if his lawyers got a large certified cashiers check before they took him on as a client. If not, they’re pretty stupid.

[@strombouts]

All the monster has ever done is lie, lie, and lie more.

[@warriorwarrior4958]

She never experienced this as a judge because a normal defendant would be in jail and be barred from being in the courtroom by now.

[@user-xr8dq6ly7g]

I'm sure the jury, besides listening to the evidence, can feel the evil in the room if they're good people. I wouldn't cross a street to be in trumps presence. No thank you

[@Blakblooded]

trump should have just gone with his usual BS: "They have no case, we've already proved my innocence, I don't need to testify, yada, yada" instead of a bigger than usual lie that he's "barred from testifying" 🤣

[@mile_high_topher]

"We won 90% of this case before it even started!" $500 million later...

[@peterlongprong7521]

one must understand that Trump is mentally ill - he's a compulsive liar - he has no self control - which makes him a dangerous psychopath and should NEVER be placed in a position of power, especially a Gov post.

[@MrsHecklefish]

​@@mile_high_topher 😂😂😂

[@hypsyzygy506]

He's setting the stage for his cult to blame the judge, the gag order, the justice system for any adverse verdict. It also primes them to support direct Presidential control of the judiciary, which is necessary for the dictatorship.

[@antoniozamora7475]

If you are a lawyer and Trump wants to engage your services, think thrice before saying yes. Just think of the countless previous lawyers who have worked for Trump and whose lives and careers are now a wreck.

[@hypsyzygy506]

Just... don't.

[@personalbyedl]

Indeed, you'll harm your reputation, never get that time back, and a colossal waste of your life for that time period... a lifelong embarrassment.

[@NeilWood-sd3ko]

Just watched Robert De Niro being interviewed regarding Trump. He really nails it. If you haven't seen it it's worth a view.

[@Lionel-yq3kt]

He's a stooge and so are you

[@Ali-yh9qi]

He looks like he was dredged out of a river.

[@PschyoSupposeiam]

feel Sorry for that body of water

[@Blueloveblue]

So true

[@Magaeatsboogers]

I have learned after 2015 to always make a bet with MAGA people when Trump makes a promise, I made 1400 for him taking a salary, 800 when he said no golf, 2600 for him not making Mexico pay for wall, I made 2800 off of Golf Buddies who said Trump would Testify in E Jean Carol Trail. Start making bets on Trumps Words, he never keeps them.

[@JIM-ot4ws]

You've made a lucrative business out of Trump's lies, wow!

[@Magaeatsboogers]

@@JIM-ot4ws I live in an all Red/Neck state full of Idiots with Money but little Common Sense. find you a few Pigeons also.

[@Sekhubara]

"I can't testify" has much the same energy as "I can't release my tax returns".

[@petefl1818]

To lock Trumps mouth, lock him up.

[@jedheart8059]

The Playboy model did not seek out the National Inquirer. They sought her.

[@GIBKEL]

I don’t ever remember reading that the Orangoutang ever contacted law enforcement about being extorted? Wouldn’t that be your first impulse if you were innocent.

[@pixipatricia4304]

Or in his case, he could finally hire a straight lawyer (not a crooked one willing to bend over backwards) because he was a true victim of extortion and he could profit bigly off it.

[@victors8465]

Something the Trump lawyers can't defend. They're happy to allege that he was being shaken down for money and to tell the jury that the real perpetrators here were the women who wanted money to maintain their silence. But they (the lawyers) will remain completely silent on reasons why Trump didn't simply take the matter to the authorities. The defense they've chosen to argue really doesn't make any sense. But then, this is Trump they're defending.

[@joedufour8188]

It doesn't matter in this trial at all either way. He is not on trial because he paid hush money to someone. If he had just given her a personal check drawn from his own personal account, he wouldn't be on trial right now. At least not in this case.

[@hapah4894]

Trump needs to be treated like Al Capone.

[@newmove4378]

dump is responsible for significantly more deaths than Capone.

[@joshyoung1580]

That's kinda the problem. America lionizes crooks, turns them into legends. We made Trump a star and this is where we start paying for it.

[@3rdatmosphere]

Should say hook line and stinker

[@winstonsmith6607]

I'm surprised they didn't. MSDNC has become lowest common denominator propaganda.

[@cortical1]

You win the internet today.

[@mile_high_topher]

@EricGraham-so9pp All you have is recycled Trump memes. Diaper Don since 2016.

[@3rdatmosphere]

@EricGraham-so9pp poly want a cracker

[@chrismorgan9153]

​@EricGraham-so9ppNot an original thought bouncing around your empty little head, huh?

[@JupiterSlim]

“There’s nothing more elusive than an obvious fact.” - Sherlock Holmes

[@drusmith6463]

unbelievable, never so many, blindly, followed such an ignorant pied-piper...

[@casperimprovedintransition8002]

I'm disappointed in you guys... When you used "Hook, line, and sinker", you missed the opportunity to use "Hook, line, and stinker". 🤣

[@asheronwindspear552]

His lawyers are probably telling him he can't testify because they know he'll blow any chance of a defence they have away.

[@evamclaughlin1585]

Playing the invisible accordion with those tiny hands.

[@gordondalrymple7644]

The vortex of darkness vomits the trump cast of characters from the abyss of sleaze

[@user-ks4hp5bg9s]

Stephanie is the best.

[@willieherd6754]

As he says, "how's my girl". Why not look after your newborn and wife.

[@jamescoates2420]

Don't know why the media is not calling him out when he spews his rubbish everyday when he walks out ?

[@DebHammersley]

Some do.

[@jamescoates2420]

@@DebHammersley good however we should be able to hear them ?

[@jamesclark1550]

Ask Sean Hannity.

[@jayneberkley9742]

Yes Ignorant, Trump at this point is a disgrace, his lawyer looks absolutely miserable…..what a mistake he has made representing Trump!

[@cherylhelm7797]

Heard that lawyer left his practice in New York, moved to Florida to represent Trump only. Bad move! 💙💙💙

[@marciabryan9856]

Why does the media give Trump air time after each hearings to spout his lies. This should stop.

[@iadorenewyork1]

He gets attention because he was POTUS and is (sigh) running again. He gets to blab and blab a lot. He should be fact checked more stringently - you’re right.

[@ronnieking3848]

Eric showed up in court on Tuesday because that's the only time he gets to see his father.

[@god9513]

. If he took an enema just before he died he could be buried in a matchbox. .

[@longskyhook4917]

I wish he would testify. Game over.

[@joanfrellburg4901]

No wonder he won't shut up. He has no clue what a gag order means. Has his lawyer tried to explain it to him ?

[@wendybryant8967]

She's wrong, he knew exactly what he was saying. He definitely meant to use the word testify. He's talking to his base and hoping they're dumb enough to believe him when he says he can't testify because he's under a gag order.

[@zeldasmith6154]

Seedy is in his DNA.

[@breakinghabits_II]

Should be: Hook, line and STINKER 💩

[@theinsaneshecklador6598]

Hook line and MAGA suckers who believe anything Trump tells them.

[@jcoopes5604]

How does a gag order prevent him from testifying!?!

[@steelers6titles]

It does not, in any way. The right of a criminal defendant to testify in his own behalf, even against his attorney's advice, is absolute. So, of course, is his right not to testify.

[@santyclause8034]

He's playing on words somewhat. On one hand, the gag order prevents him attacking jurors, court officials, prosecution witnesses in front of press. He's implying that interferes with his campaign... So is his campaign a tilt at the Presidency, including his oath to faithfully observe, uphold and protect the laws and citizenry of yore USA, or is his campaign a vendetta aimed at sweeping aside the voices of opposition standing in the way of ungodly tyranny under his malignant reign?

[@vitadelicatus]

He is born as a liar.

[@mvvpro8688]

Maybe his lawyers have told him that the gag order means he can't testify, just to keep him off the stand.

[@KeisonMibute]

There is no doubt. Only the cult members can ignore it.

[@CeeGeeZ]

Too CHEAP For TAiLORiNG ....

[@TheOne-jp2kf]

I like your delivery on the hypocrisy of the trump cult...good jo

[@user-sq7nk9us6f]

The world IS listening and cannot understand why Trump is allowed to abuse and denigrate the judiciary. It is so damaging to America internally and externally.

[@marka5069]

Trump has crossed the line. He knew right from wrong and he chose the wrong as many people have. People you have a choice to follow wrong or follow right. You are who you hang out with.

[@jono.pom-downunder]

The more often a stupidity is repeated, the more it gets the appearance of wisdom.” - Voltaire

[@jamesjones-wv9ik]

It's about trump? "Crook, lies and stinker!" might make a more apt title.

[@markendicott6874]

Hook, Line and Stinker you mean.

[@davidbelway6076]

Someone should insert an accordion on trump when he's speaking.

[@Sua_Sponte_RSTB]

"I can't testify" = "I can't be truthful"

[@mholland9330]

Poor trump, for the first time ever, he HAS to go to his kids graduation. Trump would rather take a fine.

[@vickyking3408]

Should it not be hook line and STINKER!😂

[@twilight2559]

45 made the same goof that he made about Haley, which brings us back to his early signs of dementia

[@richardstewart6900]

My apologies. I somehow read that headline as "Crook, liar and stinker".

[@lgnh6430]

Finally someone sais the right thing , judges should not be excluded from gagorder. Wannebedictator should'nt be treated different

[@george-st-george]

Thanks,You guys !!!!!

[@soonlengpoh5110]

Taking the stand??? You still believe that habitual liar??? 😂

[@Longtack55]

Just curious, has anyone ever heard Trump assert anything truthful?

[@user-dh4fw7be2m]

Ha ha been following your election since February, not once have I heard Trump say any truthful 💙🇺🇸🇬🇧🇺🇦🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@robertharris6067]

Hook,line and stinker

[@SurfSunshine]

Right On Judge !!!

[@god9513]

Just as well that TheRump's daughter did not marry James Lot. Because her full married name would be an accurate description of her father's daily activities.

[@hamishfenton8633]

Get real they must be prosecuted

[@junemordy2481]

Thank you Mr. DeNiro.

[@alexanderpeskin7050]

What about tax returns? - I'm not allowed to show it as there is on going audit. Would you testify? - I will 😂

[@ChrisBarrett-gl1fj]

Trump : Fake News!...Election Interference !...That was a perfect phone call...I mean recording. It's not my voice anyway !

[@JEMurl]

Lawrence put it perfectly

[@stephenrobinson9449]

The world is indeed listening.

[@thomasctteo6868]

HE IS INDEED SLEAZY. NOT JESTING.

[@spiritualMaestro]

I like Stephanie. An excellent conversationalist especially with deniro

[@zion9860]

We all know Donald Trump wasn't going to take the stand in his own defense. Once again he's all about talk.

[@bobclarke2242]

Trump is an ignorant bully.

[@user-yd9di3kg2j]

When you talk about Trump, shouldn't it be "hook, line, and stinker'? heh