Donald Trump lashes out at judge, New York attorney-general as he testifies in fraud trial
New York, November 7
A defiant Donald Trump sparred with a New York judge and slammed the state attorney-general suing him on Monday, using the witness stand at his civil fraud trial to defend his riches and lash out at a case that imperils his real estate empire.
The former president’s barbed testimony spurred the judge to admonish, “This is not a political rally.”
Trump’s long-awaited testimony about property valuations and financial statements was punctuated by personal jabs at state Judge Arthur Engoron who, he said, was biased against him, and New York Attorney-General Letitia James, whom he derided as a “political hack”.
He proudly boasted of his real estate business, “I’m worth billions of dollars more than the financial statements,” and disputed claims that he had deceived banks and insurers.
“This is the opposite of fraud,” he declared. Referring to James, a Democrat whose office brought the lawsuit, he said, “The fraud is her.”
The testy exchanges and frequent rebukes from the judge underscored Trump’s unwillingness to adapt his famously freewheeling rhetorical style to a formal courtroom setting governed by rules of evidence and legal protocol.
His presence on the stand was a reminder of the legal troubles he faces as he vies to reclaim the White House in 2024.
