In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump has retracted his earlier claims that he would be barred from testifying in his New York hush money trial. Trump's admission came just one day after falsely stating that a gag order prevented him from taking the stand.

The backtrack follows a recent incident where Trump was fined $9,000 for nine violations of the gag order. These violations arose from critical posts and public comments made on his social media platform, Truth Social, targeting potential witnesses and jurors. The presiding judge, Judge Merchan, handed down the fine and even warned Trump that future violations could result in jail time rather than monetary penalties.

Judge Merchan is currently considering four additional alleged violations of the gag order, which were discussed during a hearing held on Thursday. The focus of the hearing centered around Trump's comments regarding witness David Pecker and members of the jury. If found in contempt of court, Trump could face a maximum fine of $1,000 per violation or even 30 days in jail, with legal experts highlighting the possibility of him being sent to New York's notorious Rikers Island.

During the hearing, Trump's attorney, Todd Blanche, argued that his client's remarks about witnesses were simply responses to reporters' questions, asserting Trump's right to defend himself against online attacks made by his critic, Michael Cohen, who was once Trump's fixer.

The hush money trial revolves around Trump facing 34 felony charges related to falsifying business records. These charges stem from a $130,000 payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels in the months leading up to the 2016 election. Manhattan prosecutors claim that Trump misrepresented these payments as legal services, a claim vehemently denied by Trump's legal team. The former president has also consistently denied any involvement in an alleged affair with Daniels, asserting his innocence and pleading not guilty to the charges. Throughout the legal proceedings, Trump has criticized the New York prosecutors, accusing them of interfering in the 2024 reelection campaign he recently launched.

In contrast, Cohen, who admitted to the hush money payment, pleaded guilty in 2018 to making an unlawful campaign contribution through his dealings with Daniels.

As the trial continues, the question of Trump's testimony remains open and will undoubtedly be a pivotal moment in the proceedings. The former president's retraction regarding the gag order restrictions raises curiosity about his potential involvement in the courtroom, leaving both his supporters and critics eagerly awaiting Judge Merchan's ruling on the matter.