Former President Donald Trump has announced that he will not be testifying in his civil fraud trial in New York on Monday. Trump's decision comes as a surprise, as he had previously been expected to return to court to defend himself against allegations of fraudulently inflating the value of his properties.

In a lengthy message posted on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump stated that he will not be testifying on Monday. While expressing his dissatisfaction with the attorney general's case against him and the judge overseeing the trial, Trump's message did not provide any specific reasoning for his decision.

Trump's attorney, Chris Kise, argued that the former president had already testified and that there was nothing more to say to a judge who had imposed an "unconstitutional gag order." Kise criticized the judge for allegedly ignoring Trump's testimony and that of everyone else involved in the complex financial transactions at the center of the case.

Although Trump had previously testified in the trial, his appearance on Monday would have given him an opportunity to further discuss his business and properties while being questioned by his lawyers. It would have also allowed him to challenge the attorney general's allegations directly. The case, although not involving criminal charges, is personal to Trump as it affects his brand directly.

However, Trump would have been subject to a gag order imposed by Judge Arthur Engoron, preventing him from commenting on the judge's staff. Engoron has fined Trump twice for breaching this order, which was put in place after the former president attacked the judge's clerk on social media.

Trump attorney Alina Habba advised against testifying due to the gag order, but Trump remained adamant about taking the stand despite the advice. His attorneys have appealed Engoron's gag order, but it still remains in place. The defense team had requested a postponement of Trump's testimony until the gag order is decided by the appeals court, but the judge denied the request.

Trump's combative testimony during questioning by the New York attorney general's office last month drew criticism from Judge Engoron. Rather than directly addressing the questions, Trump largely attacked the attorney general, the judge, and the case itself.

New York Attorney General Letitia James is seeking $250 million in damages and to prohibit Trump from conducting business in the state. The complaint accuses Trump, his adult sons, and his company of fraudulently inflating property values to secure more favorable loan and insurance rates.

Following Trump's announcement, the court confirmed that proceedings would be paused on Monday, with the trial set to resume on Tuesday. Eli Bartov, an accounting expert who had begun testifying on Trump's behalf, will continue his testimony as scheduled. The attorney general's office will then have a day for rebuttals, with both sides having until January 5 to file briefs with Judge Engoron. Closing arguments will take place on January 11.

While Trump has attended the trial multiple times, he expressed frustration at being in New York instead of campaigning in key swing states for a potential 2024 presidential bid. Despite attending the trial voluntarily, Trump said he should be in Iowa, New Hampshire, or South Carolina instead.

The outcome of Trump's decision not to testify remains to be seen as the trial progresses.