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Former President Trump testified on the stand Monday that New York Choose Arthur Engoron and New York Legal professional Basic Letitia James are “making an attempt to harm” him for “political causes” whereas blasting the “very unfair” and unprecedented non-jury civil fraud trial.
The previous president and 2024 Republican presidential frontrunner took the stand Monday morning within the civil trial stemming from James’ lawsuit towards him, his household and his companies. James alleged Trump defrauded banks and inflated the worth of his property.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has repeatedly mentioned his property had been truly undervalued. Trump has repeatedly mentioned his monetary statements had disclaimers, requesting that the numbers be evaluated by the banks.
Former President Trump prepares to testify throughout his trial at New York State Supreme Courtroom in New York on Nov. 6, 2023. (Picture by CURTIS MEANS/POOL/AFP by way of Getty Photos)
TRUMP, ENGORON TRADE JABS DURING FORMER PRESIDENT’S TESTIMONY IN CIVIL TRIAL STEMMING FROM NYAG LAWSUIT
Throughout Trump’s unprecedented testimony Monday, Engoron tried to chop him off from offering prolonged solutions to state legal professionals’ questioning, and even mentioned, “I don’t need to hear all the pieces he has to say.”
After a break in his testimony, Trump once more took the stand, defending himself and his companies, and blasting the investigation, lawsuit and non-jury trial.
“We shouldn’t be having a case right here as a result of now we have a disclaimer clause that each court docket holds up besides this decide,” Trump mentioned, referring to the disclaimers on all of his monetary statements and statements of economic situation.
“They’re making an attempt to harm me — particularly her,” Trump mentioned, referring to Legal professional Basic Letitia James. “For political causes.”
State Legal professional Basic Letitia James seen throughout public security announcement to forestall gun violence at Metropolis Corridor. (Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket by way of Getty Photos)
Trump went on to name James a “political hack,” saying she used her investigation and lawsuit towards him “to turn into governor, to turn into lawyer basic.” The previous president was referring to James’ campaigns, by which she vowed to “get Trump.”
“It is a political witch hunt, and she or he needs to be ashamed of herself,” Trump mentioned. “The fraud is her.”
James, a Democrat, sued Trump, his youngsters and the Trump Group final 12 months, alleging he and his firm misled banks and others concerning the worth of his property. James claimed the previous president’s youngsters — Donald Trump Jr., Ivanka and Eric — in addition to his associates and companies, dedicated “quite a few acts of fraud and misrepresentation” on their monetary statements.
Former President Trump prepares to testify throughout his trial at New York State Supreme Courtroom in New York on Nov. 6, 2023. (Picture by JEFFERSON SIEGEL/POOL/AFP by way of Getty Photos)
Engoron, in September, dominated that Trump and the Trump Group dedicated fraud whereas constructing his actual property empire by deceiving banks, insurers and others by overvaluing his property and exaggerating his internet value on paperwork utilized in making offers and securing financing.
“He dominated towards me with out figuring out something about me,” Trump mentioned on the stand. “He known as me a fraud, and he didn’t know something about me.”
Trump went on to slam Engoron for undercutting the worth of his Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Seaside, Florida, a property Engoron valued at $18 million.
Former President Trump, left, and New York Choose Arthur Engoron. (Fox Information)
“$18 million, he mentioned — and I am a fraud for not valuing the property? How do you name a person a fraud when you will have a property 50 to 100 instances extra?” Trump mentioned. “You believed the political hack again there, and that is unlucky.”
A state lawyer, Kevin Wallace, who was main the questioning of Trump, requested if the previous president was “performed.”
“Achieved,” Trump mentioned.
It is a growing story. Please examine again for updates.
Brooke Singman is a Fox Information Digital politics reporter. You may attain her at [email protected] or @BrookeSingman on Twitter.
