The proceedings have taken a contentious turn in the ongoing civil fraud trial of former President Donald Trump, presided over by Justice Arthur Engoron of the New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan.
Trump’s attorney, Chris Kise, requested a postponement of his client’s scheduled testimony on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, aiming to delay until an appeals court reviews the gag order imposed by Judge Engoron. These orders restrict Trump and his legal team from attacking the judge’s law clerk and court staff. However, Engoron rejected the postponement, stating, “Absolutely not. No way. No how. It’s a nonstarter.”
Kise informed the court that Eric Trump, initially scheduled to testify, would no longer participate in the defense case. Donald Trump took to his social media platform, Truth Social, to explain this decision, claiming he advised Eric not to testify in what he called a “RIGGED TRIAL” orchestrated by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
The trial, which has spanned over two months, centers around allegations by Attorney General James that Trump, his sons Donald Jr. and Eric, and the Trump Organization committed fraud by inflating Trump’s net worth on financial documents to secure favorable terms from banks and insurers. Justice Engoron has already made a preliminary ruling, finding Trump liable for persistent fraud.
Trump’s defense has primarily involved expert witnesses and testimony from Donald Trump Jr. about the value of Trump properties. Notably, the defense has been heavily criticized for appearing more like a public relations pitch than a legal argument. Additionally, Trump’s legal team has repeatedly accused the judge and his law clerk of bias, even requesting a mistrial on these grounds, which Judge Engoron quickly denied.
Judge Engoron has shown little patience with Trump’s legal strategies, previously fining him for contempt and critiquing the defense’s arguments as “borderline frivolous” and “living in a fantasy world.”
The trial’s outcome could have significant implications for Trump and his business empire. Attorney General James is seeking $250 million in penalties and aims to bar him and his sons from serving as officers or directors of any New York-based business and restricting their real estate acquisitions in the state for five years.
The verdict will likely be subject to lengthy appeals, and Trump’s lawyers have already signaled their intention to challenge any unfavorable decision.
