Donald Trump testifies under oath in court in New York – and is completely himself. Even his lawyer can hardly contain himself.
- Trump hard to tame: Chaotic appearance in court
- Fraud process in New York: Donald Trump attacks judges and prosecutors
- process against Trump: There is a risk of drastic fines
Update from November 7th, 9:30 a.m.: Donald Trump was uncontrollable during his appearance in court. In any case, Judge Arthur Engoron’s warnings had no effect. “This is not a political rally, this is a courtroom,” Engoron complained at one point. But Trump and his team were unimpressed. His lawyer Alina Habba also took the opportunity to sharply criticize the judge.
Engoron went “off the rails” during Trump’s statement. Habba quoted the judge as saying that he was not here to hear what Trump had to say. At one point he “yelled” at her and told her to sit down. “So what am I actually paid for as a lawyer?” And further: “The judge can tell me to sit down. And he can try to shorten my client’s statement,” Habba said. “But it is clear and clear: they have nothing in their hands.” The whole process is just a political production.
Trump is hard to control – chaotic appearance in court
Update from November 7th, 4:20 a.m.: Trump’s testimony in New York is over. During his appearance, the former president repeatedly attacked Judge Arthur Engoron. He is just as partisan as New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is also present. She, in turn, is a Democrat party soldier who Trump also described as a “fraud” and “political charlatan”.
During his appearance, the 77-year-old made it clear that he was not willing to take a back seat in court in New York and avoid sharp attacks on the judiciary. At times, Trump behaved in the courtroom like he was in a TV debate. Engoron repeatedly warned Trump’s defense attorney Christopher Kise that he should bring his mandate “under control.” Otherwise this would have a negative impact on his evaluation of the statement. When Trump’s defenders objected, Engoron ordered them to sit down.
During questioning, Trump repeatedly rebuked prosecutor Wallace as if he were his superior. The prosecution, Trump said during questioning, had nothing against him: “You should be ashamed, but go ahead.” At one point, Trump asked the judge if he could read a text that was apparently intended to exonerate him. When Engoron denied this by saying “not now,” Trump responded sarcastically by saying “I’m shocked.”
As expected, Trump denied the allegations that he had manipulated the value of his properties and businesses. A number of his properties, including his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida, were worth far more than publicly known and were underestimated by the court. In addition, there was no damage, the banks had received back the loans granted: “Everyone got their money back in full,” said Trump.
Judge to Trump: This is not a campaign event
Update from November 6th, 7:25 p.m.: Former US President Donald Trump repeatedly clashed with the judge during his testimony in the fraud trial against him in New York. “This is not a campaign event,” said Judge Arthur Engoron on Monday to the 77-year-old Republican, who wants to run again in the presidential election in a year. “Please just answer questions, no talking.”
At one point, the judge called on Trump’s lawyer, Christopher Kise, to get his client “under control.” The ex-president, in turn, spoke of a “very unfair” and “crazy” process. President Joe Biden’s Democrats would attack him “from 15 different sides.”
Just before his testimony, Trump told reporters outside the courtroom that he was a victim of “political warfare” and “election interference.” “The people in the country understand that. They see it. And they don’t like it.”
Update from November 6th, 4:40 p.m.: Donald Trump is aggressive. Right at the beginning of his statement, he again complained about the public prosecutor’s office, which only consisted of “Trump haters.” Trump also worked on Judge Arthur Engoron. When the former president was asked about the financial situation in 2014, he said that it was too long ago and that the statute of limitations had already expired. But he is convinced that “the judge will rule against me, he always rules against me.”
Donald Trump attacks judges and prosecutors
Update from November 6th, 4 p.m.: Donald Trump arrived at the courthouse in New York. Before entering the building, the ex-president again attacked the judge in charge and the prosecutor. This was shown by television images from the US broadcaster CNN. It is still not known when Trump’s testimony will begin.
Update from November 6th, 2:39 p.m.: The USA is looking spellbound at New York today. There, Donald Trump will personally testify in the civil trial for fraud – under oath. Even before his appearance on the witness stand, the former president was aggressive. So he published again several of his previous posts on his online platform Truth Social, in which he vehemently attacked several people involved. While he called Judge Arthur Engoron a “disgrace to the legal profession,” he described New York Attorney General Letitia James as “racist.” And his former lawyer Michael Cohen, who testified against him in the civil case, also got his fat off. For Trump, Cohen is nothing more than a “scumbag.”
Under oath: Trump’s big appearance in the New York fraud trial
New York – In the fraud trial against Donald Trump in New York, the former US President is scheduled to appear in person in court this Monday (November 6th, local time) and give his statement. Trump will be under oath when questioned by prosecutors. The statement of the former US president, against whom several criminal trials are ongoing, is eagerly awaited. It’s about the future of the 77-year-old’s corporate empire. Anyone who verifiably makes a false statement under oath will face charges of perjury.
In recent weeks, the trial in New York has been the catalyst for several angry tirades from Trump against the judge, court staff and prosecutors. Trump is aiming to run again next year as the Republican candidate in the 2024 US election. The prosecution accuses Trump, his sons and other employees of distorting the value of the Trump Organization over the years. The aim was to obtain cheaper loans and insurance contracts. Before the trial, Judge Arthur Engoron had already confirmed this. The trial now focuses primarily on determining possible penalties.
There is a risk of drastic fines in the fraud trial against Donald Trump
Trump is not threatened with a prison sentence or a direct impact on his bid for the presidency, but a conviction could cause him great business damage. Attorney General Letitia James wants to ensure that Trump has to pay 250 million US dollars (around 239 million euros) and is no longer allowed to do business in New York. It is unclear whether he would also have to give up properties such as his famous New York Trump Tower if he is convicted.
Several of Trump’s children had recently testified. However, Donald Jr. and Eric denied any allegations in court and said they had nothing to do with the Trump Organization’s accounting and billing. Trump’s daughter Ivanka is also expected to testify later this week.
Donald Trump: Repeats verbal gaffes
Because of numerous verbal gaffes by Trump, who was personally present at the trial several times, Judge Engoron had already threatened him with serious consequences, imposed a fine and a ban on defamation of court employees.
Trump is the most promising candidate for the Republican presidential nomination in a year’s election. According to many observers, he is using the trial as election advertising and repeatedly claims that the trial is part of a political campaign against him. (With agency material)