During his civil fraud trial in New York City, New York, Donald Trump left the courtroom unexpectedly after testimony from his ex-lawyer, Michael Cohen. The trial, which concerns the former president, is now in its fourth week and has become a major media event.
On October 25, Cohen told the court that Trump had boosted his asset values to gain financially. Trump’s defense tried to cast doubts on Cohen by bringing up his past of lying while under oath and evading taxes. However, Cohen remained resolute in his current claims, stating that there were alterations in Trump’s financial documents to reflect an inflated net worth.
After hearing Cohen’s words, Trump made a hasty departure from the courtroom and began addressing the media. He surprisingly suggested that he saw the trial going in his favor based on Cohen’s statements. Yet, this was contradicted by Judge Arthur Engoron. An attorney from Trump’s side asked the judge to conclude the trial with a verdict. To this, Judge Engoron emphatically answered, “Absolutely denied.” He pointed out the extensive evidence backing the lawsuit by New York Attorney General James, which seeks $250 million from Trump, his three children, and the Trump Organization.
Further, during the trial, Trump faced penalties for not observing a gag order. He was fined on two occasions, with the latest fine amounting to $10,000 due to his comments about an assistant to the judge.
The ongoing trial is shedding light on Trump’s business operations and his alleged unscrupulous practices. After his courtroom exit, Trump voiced his thoughts on social media, directing much of his criticism at Cohen. This legal battle poses a significant challenge for Trump, and as strong arguments are put forth from both sides, the end result remains uncertain.
