Donald Trump was warned to control himself on the witness stand as he called prosecutors and Democrats “haters” and claimed the judge in his $250 million fraud trial in New York always rules “against” him.
Judge Arthur Engoron repeatedly admonished the former president for failing to answer questions from prosecutor Kevin Wallace as tensions rose almost immediately after he was sworn in as a witness Monday morning.
Engoran also chided the 77-year-old former president for an “irrelevant” answer when he said one of his Scottish golf courses was “perhaps the largest in the world” and said three times that Aberdeen was “the oil capital of Europe”.
The 77-year-old is accused in a lawsuit of inflating his wealth and real estate value by billions, which could sink his business empire in the Big Apple.
The opening hour of his testimony was marked by constant arguments between the judge, Trump and his legal counsel over the former president’s detailed answers to questions about his financial reports.
“You can attack me all you want, but just answer the question,” Judge Engoran said after Trump railed against the “crazy” trial.
The judge, whom Trump called a “lunatic,” then said, “This is not a political rally” and asked the defendant’s legal team to “talk to him” to stop his outbursts.
He turned to one of Trump’s lawyers and said, “I implore you to control him if you can.” If you can’t, I will. I will excuse him and draw all sorts of negative conclusions from it. Do you understand?’
Judge Engoron also asked one of Trump’s lawyers, Alina Habba, to “sit down” as she insisted that the court listen to his lengthy answers.
Donald Trump has arrived at the New York State Supreme Court to deliver blockbuster testimony in the $250 million fraud lawsuit that could bankrupt his business empire in the Big Apple
The former president sits next to his lawyers Christopher Kise (left) and Alina Habba (right). He was immediately called and sworn in as a witness after criticizing the “political war” against him that only takes place “in banana republics.”
Trump makes a lip gesture with his hands as he leaves the courtroom after a very tense first part of his testimony. He was warned not to talk about the case during the break
“No, I’m not here to hear what he has to say. “I’m here to hear him answer questions,” the judge said.
Trump grinned as Chris Kise, one of his lawyers, called him the future president of the United States, citing a New York Times poll that showed him leading Joe Biden in five swing states.
“This is a very, very unfair trial, and I hope the public is watching,” Trump muttered during one of the confrontations.
At some point, sparks began to fly when Trump denounced Judge Engoron for “always ruling against me.” He added that lawyers “came at me from 15 different sides, all Democrats, all Trump haters.”
The confrontation began as Trump answered questions about his historic financial reports. During a response, the former president drew laughter from the press gallery when he called the current proceedings a “crazy process.”
He then distanced himself from the 2017 financial statements at the heart of the case, claiming he knew nothing about them and that the banks had not taken care of them.
Before entering the court, Trump said he was put in a “very unfair situation” in the trial and discussed the New York Times poll.
He also insisted that Mar-a-Lago was worth “50 to 100 times” the $18 million value determined by prosecutors and claimed that he was being targeted by people who “want this country.” to hate”.
Trump is accused of dramatically inflating his net worth and the value of his real estate by billions in order to save millions in bank loans and insurance.
The opening hour of his testimony was marked by constant arguments between the judge, Trump and his legal counsel over the former president’s detailed answers to questions about his financial reports
After entering the crowded courtroom, Wallace, the New York state attorney, said, “People are calling Donald J. Trump.”
He walked across the front of the bench to the witness stand. He was then asked to “solemnly swear and affirm” that he had told the truth when giving evidence, and he replied, “I do.”
Trump then confirmed his name and said he lived in Florida before Wallace’s questioning began.
It became an integral part of his appearance in the New York courtroom that Trump gave a speech to the press before entering the courtroom.
“While Israel is under attack, while Ukraine is under attack, while inflation is eating our country alive, I am down here,” he said.
Trump was warned to control himself on the witness stand as he called prosecutors and Democrats “haters” and claimed the judge always rules “against” him
Judge Arthur Engoron repeatedly admonished the former president for failing to answer questions from prosecutor Kevin Wallace as tensions rose almost immediately after he was sworn in as a witness Monday morning
“These are all ads attacking political opponents of the Biden administration, their poll numbers are terrible.”
“The New York Times came back with a poll that had me in the lead everywhere, but it’s a very unfair situation.”
Earlier Monday, he said on Truth Social that the case was a way for President Joe Biden to “cheat” in the 2024 presidential election – and criticized both Engoron and James for “election interference.”
James said: “The numbers don’t lie” when discussing his business just before the court hearing began.
She persistently said she would “get” Trump during her campaign for attorney general.
“Donald Trump has repeatedly misrepresented and inflated the value of his assets,” she said Monday morning.
“And before he takes a stand, I am sure he will engage in name-calling, taunting and race-baiting, calling this a witch hunt.”
“But at the end of the day, all that matters are the facts and the numbers, and my friends don’t lie.”
Photographers stream into the New York courtroom to capture Trump at the defense table before his testimony
The 77-year-old said he was put in a “very unfair situation” in the trial and discussed the New York Times poll that showed him defeating Joe Biden in five key swing states
The 77-year-old said he was put in a “very unfair situation” in the trial and discussed the New York Times poll that showed him defeating Joe Biden in five key swing states
Trump opts for a low-profile entry into the courtroom by walking behind a city bus into the building in downtown Manhattan
He was seen walking through the back entrance with a bundle of legal documents in his hand
The appearance could also mark the beginning of what will likely be a defining feature of the 2024 election if Trump becomes his party’s nominee: a primary candidate who stands trial and uses the witness stand as a campaign platform – or at least tries to – as he strives a return to the White House despite facing several criminal charges.
Trump’s appearance on Monday comes after his two eldest sons also took the stand last week.
Donald Trump Jr. testified last Wednesday, Eric Trump testified on Friday. Both are executive vice presidents of the Trump Organization.
Ivanka Trump, the ex-president’s eldest daughter, is scheduled to take the stand on Wednesday.
Trump has repeatedly called Judge Engoron a “lunatic” and a “Democratic operative.”
Trump again claimed on his social media platform that Attorney General James was involved in “ELECTION INTERFERENCE!” along with a video montage of her rant against the ex-president.
He insists that her actions against him are politically motivated because she does not want him to become president again.
Trump once took the stand – unexpectedly and briefly – after being accused of violating a partial gag order. Trump denied breaking the rules, but Judge Engoron disagreed and fined him anyway.
Anti-Trump protesters gather outside the New York courthouse, demanding that he be barred from voting by the 14th Amendment
Trump gives a thumbs up as he leaves Trump Tower and heads to downtown Manhattan
Alina Habba, a member of his legal team, followed him into the motorcade in preparation for testimony