During his fraud trial in New York, the former US president incited controversy by referring to the investigation against him as a “political witch hunt.”
In the New York civil fraud case against him, former US President Donald Trump has taken a position. He has infuriated the judge by criticising the court and asserting that he is being targeted by politically motivated prosecutors across the nation.
On Monday, the trial recommenced with testimony from Trump, who for the first time refuted claims made by New York Attorney General Letitia James that he and other officials in his real estate company had falsely inflated the worth of important properties in order to obtain advantageous loan conditions. In her complaint, James is requesting $250 million in damages; concurrently, the former president is being charged with four felonies in different criminal trials.
“You and every other Democratic district attorney, AG, and US attorney were coming after me from 15 different sides – all Democrats, all Trump haters,” Trump remarked when state attorney Kevin Wallace questioned him. He said that Judge Arthur Engoron was biassed against him and accused James of conducting a “political witch hunt.”
The court disrupted Trump’s evidence multiple times, claiming that his responses wandered into political speeches rather than properly answering the issues. “We need to have a talk with him right now,” Engoron said to Trump’s attorneys, adding, “This is not a political rally.” “I beseech you to control him if you can,” the judge remarked as the former president proceeded to share his thoughts on the matter. I’ll do it if you can’t. I will pardon him and make all the unfavourable assumptions I can.
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The future of Trump’s real estate empire is in jeopardy. At the conclusion of the trial, the judge, who has already convicted Trump and his co-defendants guilty of “persistent and repeated” fraud, will choose punishments. Trump may lose several of his most notable New York properties as a result of his declaration that he will liquidate some of his businesses. In the 2024 presidential contest, Trump—who is currently dominating the Republican field in polls—has referred to Engoron as a “deranged, Trump-hating judge.”
Loans associated with the contested property values have previously been paid back. In his Monday testimony, Trump stated that while he reduced the values of two of his properties, the total value of his holdings exceeded the amounts stated in the financial records he sent to lenders. “The brand value was the most valuable asset,” he declared. “My brand helped me become president.”
One of Trump’s attorneys, Christopher Kise, informed Engoron that the American people ought to hear the former president’s perspective on the matter. “A candidate for the presidency of the United States is standing in this situation,” Kise remarked. “It is necessary for the court to hear his response to these statements.”
“No, I am not here to hear what he has to say,” retorted Engoron. The judge yelled, “Sit down already,” as another Trump attorney rose to the podium to contend that Trump ought to be free to respond to the questions whatever he pleases. Settle in.
Trump remarked, “This is a very, very unfair trial – very — and I hope the public is watching it,” unfazed by the judge’s remarks.
