Trump had asked to deliver part of the closing arguments himself, but Engoron rejected the request Wednesday in a contentious email exchange with Trump’s lawyers after the former president refused to commit to only speaking about the facts of the case and not engage in any attacks.
The judge didn’t really reject their request, they simply ghosted him when he told them the terms under which he would accept their request, and after 2 or 3 deadline extensions their opportunity lapsed.