2024-01-12 03:56:23
Former US President Donald Trump, in New York, January 11, 2024. STEFAN JEREMIAH / AP
“Mr. Kise, please check on your client.” » On this Thursday, January 11, in the middle of the day, Donald Trump took the floor to plead his case and, feverishly, he attacked Democratic judge Arthur Engoron, 74, who has presided over the proceedings since the beginning of October 2023 in a court from Manhattan. “You have your own agenda, I certainly understand that. You are not capable of listening for more than a minute”, attacks the former president, who then attracts a call to order from the judge via his lawyer, Chris Kise.
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The line of defense of the former President of the United States who, exceptionally, wishes to partially ensure his own defense, is constant: this civil trial on the possible overvaluation of the assets of the Trump empire is a political conspiracy. “I am an innocent man. I was persecuted by someone who was running for office”, deplores Donald Trump, targeting New York prosecutor Letitia James, an elected Democrat who actually campaigned in 2018 promising to attack the real estate mogul and his empire. The argument, if it has little chance of making the judge blink, will convince the supporters of the former president in the middle of the electoral campaign.
The prosecutor accuses Donald Trump and his galaxy, the Trump Organization, of having artificially inflated the value of his real estate assets, which allowed him to obtain reduced rates for his loans, and higher loans thanks to the value – overvalued – of the goods given as security. The banks demanded that Donald Trump always have 50 million dollars (45.5 million euros) in cash and a fortune of 2.5 billion dollars.
“A complaint fabricated to pursue a political agenda”
Among the most absurd evaluations, that of Donald Trump’s triplex in New York, whose value rose from 80 million to 327 million dollars between 2011 and 2015, while its announced surface area was tripled compared to reality. Ms. James is now demanding a fine of 370 million dollars, more than the 250 million demanded at the start of the trial, and the ban on Donald Trump and his two adult sons, Eric and Donald Jr, from managing businesses in New York for five years.
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Donald Trump’s lawyer, in the closing argument, reiterated that real estate appraisals were subjective and that Deutsche Bank, the Trump Organization’s main lender, had done its own and would have lent no matter what. “All the banks have got all their money back. They were excellent loans. They are as happy as can be”Mr. Trump said.
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