Judge keeps Trump rape case open for former president to testify after sides rest their cases

The judge in the civil rape case against former President Trump says he'll give Trump until Sunday afternoon to testify, after both sides on Thursday rested their respective cases.

U.S. District Judge Lewis Kaplan was reluctant to let Trump’s lawyers rest their case without calling any witnesses and said he would give the former president until 5 p.m. Sunday to testify.

"If he has second thoughts, I’ll at least consider it," Kaplan said after the jury had been sent home for the day. Kaplan also said lawyers will make closing arguments Monday if Trump does not testify, according to the Associated Press.

The case is being brought by writer E. Jean Carroll, who alleges Trump sexually assaulted her in 1996 in a Manhattan department store.  

Trump's lawyers say their client won’t attend the proceedings or testify in the trial in New York City.

However, Trump suggested to reporters while golfing Thursday in Ireland that he would "probably attend" the trial, the wire service also reports. 

Trump also also repeated his argument that the case is a political "scam," and said Kaplan, a President Clinton appointee, was  "extremely hostile."