He might lose his business licence in New York State and be hit with damages of up to $250 million as a consequence of the trial. In his opening remarks, Trump praised his son Don Jr., calling him a “very honourable guy” and “smart.”
In an attempt to stop what he refers to as the “corporate death penalty” for his eponymous real estate company—which could ultimately result in $250 million in damages and ruin his ability to do business in New York State—Donald Trump took the witness stand on Monday in his civil fraud trial.
Trump praised his eldest son, Don Jr., for being “smart” and called him a “very honorable guy” as he began his much-awaited evidence at the State Supreme Court in Manhattan. The judge appeared to grow impatient with Trump’s responses as the morning went on. “Please, if you can, keep him under control,” the judge instructed Trump’s attorney, Chris Kise.
Trump, his sons Eric and Donald Trump Jr., two Trump officials, and the Trump Organization as a whole had already been found guilty of years of fraud by the judge, Arthur Engoron, on the grounds that they overvalued real estate in order to obtain better terms on loans and insurance.
Following his sons’ testimony last week, Trump took a stand today with the intention of both gaining political points and preserving his venerable business. The New York Attorney General Letitia James and elected Democrat Engoron are conducting a “witch hunt” in the civil fraud trial, according to the former president and Republican nominee for president in 2024.
Trump has declared in public that his financial records are “phenomenal” and that his true net worth is “substantially more” than what they showed.
Judge Arthur Engoron has persisted in his criticism of Trump’s replies, claiming that they are editorialising, too general, and not addressing the state’s inquiries. “Please, if you can, control him,” Engoron pleaded with Trump’s attorney, Chris Kise. According to Engoron, if Kise is unable to manage his own client, the judge will take action by clearing Trump and making disparaging remarks about the former president.
Although he noted that he is happy to speak with his client about making the responses more confined, Kise stated that listening to what Trump has to say is the most effective approach to get through the testimony. Alina Habba, a Trump lawyer, also spoke up to support her client, telling Engoron that Kevin Wallace, the attorney general’s office’s senior enforcement counsel, wasn’t posing direct questions to Trump. The judge was then incensed with Habba when he informed him that his job was to hear what Trump had to say. She was advised to sit down by Engoron.
Trump declared, “This is a very unfair trial.” “I hope people are paying attention.”
Following additional back-and-forth between Trump and James’ team, the AG’s office recommended a pause to allow Kise to counsel his client. The courtroom has been cleared by Trump and his legal staff.
