Title: Donald Trump’s Defiant Testimony Draws Ire from Judge in Civil Fraud Trial
Date: November 6, 2023
NEW YORK – In a defiant and rambling testimony at a civil fraud trial in New York on Monday, former U.S. President Donald Trump complained of unfair treatment, prompting the judge to threaten to cut his testimony short. Judge Arthur Engoron warned Trump that he might be removed from the witness stand if he did not answer questions directly.
The trial centers around Trump’s New York business and its accounting practices, with the judge considering whether to impose hundreds of millions of dollars in fines and other penalties that could potentially cripple Trump’s real estate empire. Trump, who is the frontrunner for the Republican nomination in the 2024 election, repeatedly sidestepped direct answers during questioning, instead boasting about his properties and wealth.
Engoron and Trump clashed multiple times during the testimony, with both raising their voices. The judge aimed to prevent Trump from using the court as a platform to air his grievances. “I’m not here to hear what he has to say. I’m here to hear him answer questions. Sit down already,” Engoron told one of Trump’s lawyers.
Trump’s daughter Ivanka is scheduled to testify on Wednesday, although she is not a defendant in the case. The trial has already found Trump, his adult sons, and 10 of his companies liable for fraud. Engoron’s ruling could ultimately strip Trump of control over some of his most renowned properties, although the order is currently on hold pending appeal.
During the testimony, Trump admitted to being involved in the documents at the center of the fraud case. New York state lawyers accuse Trump’s company of inflating the value of assets to secure favorable financing terms. Trump acknowledged that these estimates were not always accurate but argued that it should not matter because the lender, Deutsche Bank, was more concerned about the amount of cash he had on hand.
The lawsuit alleges that the inflated estimates misled lenders and insurers, allowing Trump to earn over $100 million and exaggerate his wealth by $2 billion. Trump claimed that legal authorities closely scrutinized his business following his 2016 presidential election win, labeling the trial as “very unfair.”
While this civil trial does not carry the risk of prison time for Trump, as in his criminal cases, New York Attorney General Letitia James seeks $250 million in fines and business restrictions against Trump and his sons, Eric and Donald Jr. James has accused Trump of “repeated and consistent fraud against the citizens of New York.”
Trump’s former lawyer, Michael Cohen, previously testified that Trump directed him to manipulate financial statements to boost his net worth. Evidence also points to Eric and Donald Jr.’s involvement in inflating the value of properties, including Mar-a-Lago. Trump’s sons have blamed accountants for any errors in the valuation documents.
The trial continues to draw attention, as it impacts Trump’s political career and potential run for the White House in 2024. However, Trump’s busy legal calendar next year could potentially hamper his campaign. Despite this, opinion polls show that Trump holds a commanding lead in the Republican nominating contest.
The trial is set to determine the consequences for Trump’s alleged fraudulent practices and could have significant implications for both his real estate empire and his political ambitions.
Reporting by Jack Queen and Luc Cohen; Writing by Andy Sullivan; Editing by Scott Malone, Lisa Shumaker, and Grant McCool