Former US President Donald Trump has made a contentious appearance on the witness stand during a civil fraud trial in New York, where he launched an attack on the presiding judge and denounced the proceedings as a “political witch-hunt.”
Donald Trump’s outburst in a Manhattan courtroom drew a rebuke from Judge Arthur Engoron, who accused the former president of transforming his statements into a “political rally.” This incident occurred following the testimonies of two of Trump’s sons in the previous week. Engoron, visibly frustrated, warned, “We don’t have time to waste. We have one day to do this.” It’s worth noting that Trump had previously been placed under a limited gag order for making disparaging remarks about court personnel.
Trump’s legal troubles have been mounting, with four criminal trials looming, some of which pertain to his alleged efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election, in addition to the ongoing civil trial focused on his business practices. Despite these legal challenges, Trump’s popularity with Republican voters remains strong, making him the leading contender for the Republican presidential nomination in the 2024 election.
The case in New York revolves around accusations that Trump employed deceptive tactics to inflate his net worth artificially, thereby gaining access to favorable loans and deals. In late September, Judge Engoron ruled that Trump had engaged in fraudulent behavior over an extended period by significantly overstating his wealth. Several other claims within the case are yet to be resolved, along with potential penalties.
During his testimony on Monday, Trump took aim at the judge, stating, “He called me a fraud, and he did not know anything about me.” Trump also expressed his pessimism about the judge’s potential ruling, asserting, “I’m sure the judge will rule against me because he always rules against me.”
New York Attorney General Letitia James initiated the case against Trump, his sons Donald Jr and Eric, as well as Trump Organization executives. She seeks $250 million in fines and a prohibition on Trump and his sons from conducting business in New York state. Trump, in response, labeled James a “political hack” and has consistently criticized her through speeches and social media posts.
Ahead of Trump’s testimony, James dismissed these attacks, emphasizing, “At the end of the day, the only thing that matters are the facts and the numbers.” She added, “And numbers, my friends, don’t lie.”
Judge Engoron had previously imposed a $15,000 fine on Trump for violating the gag order, which allowed him to critique the trial but prohibited comments about court staff. In recent days, Trump continued his attacks on the judge, referring to him as a “wacko” and a “RADICAL LEFT, DEMOCRATIC OPERATIVE” in his social media posts.
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