Donald Trump Jr. returned to the witness stand in a Manhattan court on Monday to defend his father’s real estate company in the $250 million civil fraud case the family is facing.
The former president’s eldest son praised his “extraordinary” vision and ability to find the “sexuality in a real estate project.”
“He’s an artist with real estate,” Trump Jr. said of his father. “This is his canvas that he creates.” “He is a creative guy and can also build well.”
Don Jr. then took the court through some of his father’s “masterpieces” – particularly Trump’s residence at Mar-a-Lago in Florida – in a Powerpoint presentation with pictures of the properties.
Donald Trump and his two adult sons, who serve as co-executive vice presidents of the Trump Organization, are accused of inflating the ex-president’s net worth by $2.2 billion in order to obtain favorable loan terms.
Trump Jr. was the first witness called by the defense to ask questions about the family’s real estate business.
“I would say it’s nice to be here, Your Honor, but I’m afraid the attorney general would sue me for perjury,” the eldest Trump sibling once said.
Donald Trump Jr. on Monday became the first witness called by the defense in a $250 million lawsuit against former President Donald Trump and his two adult sons
During his testimony, Don Jr. said his father brought “sexiness” to the real estate market. In the picture: Donald Trump Jr. in the presence of his defenders, including Alina Habba (right)
Earlier this month, Trump Jr. and his brother Eric Trump were called as witnesses by New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office. The former president also took the stand last week.
Ivanka Trump, the president’s eldest daughter and a former White House adviser, also testified last Wednesday but is not a defendant in the case.
The case is one of many facing the ex-president as he runs for another term in the White House. Trump is the leading candidate for the Republican nomination.
Photos of Mar-a-Lago were shown during a Powerpoint presentation in court.
Trump Jr. said he was upset that the Manhattan court valued the Florida property at just $18 million – and said some of the costs were actually “conservative” and not overstated.
“Maybe I took some offense,” he said on the witness stand, referring to one of the pictures of the Mar-a-Lago property. “You couldn’t build that atrium today for $18 million.”
He went on to describe Mar-a-Lago as “one of the few American castles.”
‘[Trump] “He really created something special out of swampland with his golf course in Florida,” said the ex-president’s son.
“It was literally a shallow swamp,” he added. “Everyone looked at him like he was crazy, but I think it’s one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world.”
Regarding property valuations, Don Jr. said, “I think the financial statements have been very good, actually somewhat conservative and in some cases very conservative.” I rely on the accountants. They were intimately involved in every way.”
In the presentation, Trump Jr. walked the court through the history of the Trump Organization, which began with his great-grandfather running hotels for miners during the Yukon Gold Rush.
The lawsuit against Trump was filed by New York AG James and seeks at least $250 million in damages. It could also impose restrictions that effectively bar Trump, Don Jr. and Eric from the New York real estate industry.
The trio of Trump men have denied any wrongdoing.
Meanwhile, the former president accused James, an elected Democrat, and Judge Arthur Engoron, who is overseeing the case, of political bias and “election interference.”
James is attending the hearings and was pictured opposite Don Jr. in the courtroom on Monday.
Trump Jr. enters the courtroom Monday accompanied by members of his legal team as he prepares to testify as the first witness in the defense case for himself, his father and his brother Eric
Protesters harass Trump Jr. as he enters the New York State Supreme Court for his civil fraud trial on Monday, November 13th
Don Jr. was the first person questioned by defense attorneys representing himself, his brother and father, and other defendants.
A New York state attorney will also cross-examine him.
After taking the stand today, Don Jr. is expected to return on Tuesday to answer further questions. In addition, the plaintiff plans to hire a tax attorney as a witness.
The defense also plans to call several expert witnesses in its case to refute statements from government witnesses that Trump’s financial reports got him better loan terms and insurance rates.