Former President Donald Trump took the stand on Monday morning during the non-jury civil trial stemming from New York Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit against him and his businesses in the state.
Trump and the judge, Arthur Engoron, traded jabs throughout his testimony, with Engoron often reprimanding the former president for not answering questions directly and for making political comments.
The trial centers around James’ claim that Trump and his company misled banks and others about the value of his assets, including Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. James alleges that Trump and his children, along with associates and businesses, committed “numerous acts of fraud and misrepresentation” on financial statements.
Trump defended himself and his businesses, stating that his financial statements all had disclaimers and requesting that the numbers be evaluated by banks. He also accused James of using the investigation and subsequent lawsuit to further her own political agenda.
Alina Habba goes Savage Mode: “I was yelled at and I’ve had a judge who is unhinged slamming a table. I don’t tolerate that in my life, I’m not going to tolerate it here.”
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) November 6, 2023
Former President Donald Trump took the stand on Monday morning during the non-jury civil trial stemming from New York Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit against him and his businesses in the state.
Trump and the judge, Arthur Engoron, traded jabs throughout his testimony, with Engoron often reprimanding the former president for not answering questions directly and for making political comments.
The trial centers around James’ claim that Trump and his company misled banks and others about the value of his assets, including Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida. James alleges that Trump and his children, along with associates and businesses, committed “numerous acts of fraud and misrepresentation” on financial statements.
Trump defended himself and his businesses, stating that his financial statements all had disclaimers and requesting that the numbers be evaluated by banks. He also accused James of using the investigation and subsequent lawsuit to further her own political agenda.
“This is a political witch hunt, and she should be ashamed of herself,” Trump said on the stand. “The fraud is her.”
In September, Engoron ruled in favor of James, stating that Trump and the Trump Organization did commit fraud while building his real estate empire by exaggerating his net worth and overvaluing his assets on paperwork used in deals and financing.
However, Trump maintained his innocence, saying Engoron did not know anything about him when he ruled against him.
“He called me a fraud, and he didn’t know anything about me,” Trump said. “He ruled against me without knowing anything about me.”
Engoron also clashed with Trump’s defense attorney, Chris Kise, multiple times, telling Kise to control his client and asking him to allow the witness to only answer the questions asked.
“It’s not a political rally; it’s a courtroom,” Engoron reprimanded Trump at one point. “Please just answer the questions — no speeches.”
“I beseech you to control him, if you can.”
Judge to Trump’s lawyer
Warns trump will be dismissed if this testimony continues to frustrate him, in terms of how Trump is answering
Judge Engoron clearly growing weary with Trump’s testimony…
— Robert Costa (@costareports) November 6, 2023
Despite Engoron’s frequent interruptions, Trump continued to defend himself and his businesses, claiming that his assets were undervalued and that the trial was a “crazy” and unnecessary ordeal.
“We shouldn’t be having a case here because we have a disclaimer clause that every court holds up except this judge,” Trump said of the disclaimers on his financial statements.
After hours of back-and-forth between Trump, Engoron, and attorneys for both sides, the former president finished his testimony, stating that he believed the investigation and lawsuit against him were motivated by political reasons and that James was a “political hack.”
“This is a political witch hunt, and she should be ashamed of herself,” Trump reiterated. “The fraud is her.”
The trial is set to continue with more witnesses and evidence being presented. Once the trial concludes, Engoron will make a final ruling on the case.
“This is a political witch hunt, and she should be ashamed of herself,” Trump said on the stand. “The fraud is her.”
In September, Engoron ruled in favor of James, stating that Trump and the Trump Organization did commit fraud while building his real estate empire by exaggerating his net worth and overvaluing his assets on paperwork used in deals and financing.
However, Trump maintained his innocence, saying Engoron did not know anything about him when he ruled against him.
“He called me a fraud, and he didn’t know anything about me,” Trump said. “He ruled against me without knowing anything about me.”
Engoron also clashed with Trump’s defense attorney, Chris Kise, multiple times, telling Kise to control his client and asking him to allow the witness to only answer the questions asked.
“It’s not a political rally; it’s a courtroom,” Engoron reprimanded Trump at one point. “Please just answer the questions — no speeches.”
Despite Engoron’s frequent interruptions, Trump continued to defend himself and his businesses, claiming that his assets were undervalued and that the trial was a “crazy” and unnecessary ordeal.
“We shouldn’t be having a case here because we have a disclaimer clause that every court holds up except this judge,” Trump said of the disclaimers on his financial statements.
After hours of back-and-forth between Trump, Engoron, and attorneys for both sides, the former president finished his testimony, stating that he believed the investigation and lawsuit against him were motivated by political reasons and that James was a “political hack.”
“This is a political witch hunt, and she should be ashamed of herself,” Trump reiterated. “The fraud is her.”
The trial is set to continue with more witnesses and evidence being presented. Once the trial concludes, Engoron will make a final ruling on the case.
