Donald Trump brought bombastic rhetoric to the witness stand Monday in the civil fraud case against him and his business, as he spent his time on the stand attacking the New York attorney general who brought the case and the judge overseeing the trial itself.
Trump’s testimony during the trial resembled his campaign-style appearances, where he emphasized the four criminal cases against him, along with the civil fraud case brought by the New York attorney general, as integral to his bid for the presidency in 2024.
Judge Arthur Engoron, who has had contentious exchanges with Trump throughout the trial, initially attempted to curb the former president’s political commentary and rhetoric. He instructed Trump’s lawyer, Chris Kise, to “control your client” and even threatened to have Trump removed as a witness. However, as the proceedings continued, the judge ceased his efforts to control Trump’s statements. Both the judge and the attorney general’s lawyer, who questioned Trump, allowed him to express his views and largely disregarded his political remarks. Donald Trump brought
The high-stakes civil case strikes at the core of Trump’s business empire, primarily his real estate holdings. New York Attorney General Letitia James is pursuing a $250 million lawsuit against Trump and seeking to prevent him from conducting business in the state. Judge Engoron has already ruled Trump and his co-defendants liable for fraud. The New York attorney general’s office has announced its intention to rest their case after Ivanka Trump’s testimony on Wednesday.