One of the benefits of an executive that outright lies or says the quiet parts out loud is that there’s limited space for their lawyers to hide behind “nuance” arguments.

Why should the President tell the truth, ever? He is shielded from all consequences for it, as long as a majority of the House (or, failing that, 1/3 of the Senate) agree with him.

If they say he was telling the truth, the judge should throw them behind bars for perjury.