It appears that Donald Trump will not be the final witness in the civil fraud trial against his business organization.

We'll go through the last-minute reversal from the former president.

Also ahead, we'll bring you the latest from the Middle East.

Israel continues to strike what it calls Hamas

strongholds in southern Gaza. It comes as we are learning more about some of the hostages

still held by the terrorist group. Plus, a controversial ruling in the state of Texas.

That state's Supreme Court is blocking an abortion for a woman whose fetus

has a fatal diagnosis.

Good morning and welcome to way too early on this Monday, December 11th.

I'm John Flemere. Thanks for starting your day and week with us.

We'll begin here.

Former President Trump will not, after all, testify in his own defense at his $250 million

New York civil fraud trial. Now, Trump, you'll recall,

was originally scheduled to take the stand today. But in a last-minute reversal, it was announced

late yesterday that he would not testify for his defense at all. Trump was previously called

to testify for the prosecution. He did that a few weeks ago.

Eli Bartoff, an accounting professor who has testified as an expert for the defense for

two days already, will be their final witness.

That plan seems to have changed quickly.

Trump lawyer Alina Haba said as recently as Thursday after Trump attended that day's

trial that he was looking forward to testifying today. Don't forget, though, he's going on

on Monday with the judge's gag order still in place. So he can't speak about certain things.

...