right now on ana cabrera reports, the largest ever recorded lead so close to the iowa caucuses. new polling this morning showing donald trump well out front five weeks from those caucuses, just as he doubles down on his vow to be a dictator on day one. plus, an 11th-hour reversal. the former president not taking the witness stand today in the massive new york civil fraud trial. what to expect as the case nears the end. later, at least six people killed after tornadoes ripped tlup tennessee. where this extreme weather is heading next. s heading next thank you so much for joining us. it s 10:00 eastern. i m ana cabrera reporting from new york. we begin with new polling out this morning showing donald trump expanding his lead in iowa five weeks out from the caucus, and more than 50% of iowa republicans now say trump is their first choice. this as the gop front-runner doubles down on his controversial comments about being a dictator on day one. i said i want to be a dic
united states, around the world and streaming on cnn max. i m rosemary church. just ahead, donald trump changes his mind when it comes to plans to appear in court today. we ll look at how that will affect his new york civil trial. i want to be a dictator for one day. the republican front-runner doubles down on a controversial comment. why he says it s a hoax. what the u.s. has to say about civilian protection in gaza. good to have you with us. just days ago, former president donald trump declared he would testify today in his $250 million new york civil fraud trial. but a few hours ago, he changed course, announcing on his truth social platform, that he will not take the stand after all. new york attorney general letitia james said her office had proven he had years of fraud and unjustly enriched himself. du trump, and his sons and company, inflated the value to get better loans and insurance terms. he testified once and his attorneys advised him not to do it again. h