Donald Trump wanted to defend himself at the end of his civil financial fraud trial in New York, but the judge sharply refused, according to an email exchange Wednesday between a lawyer for the former US president and the judge.
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The former President of the United States, along with his sons Eric and Donald Jr., is accused in New York civil courts of having enormously inflated the value of skyscrapers, luxury hotels or golf courses at the heart of their empire, the Trump Organization, in the 2010s to obtain cheaper loans from banks and better insurance conditions.
New York Attorney General Letitia James, who filed a financial fraud lawsuit in fall 2022, is demanding $370 million in compensation from them.
As the trial nears its end, a lawyer for Donald Trump, Chris Kise, wrote to Judge Arthur Engoron in early January to let him know that his client wanted to handle defense arguments on his own, scheduled for Thursday, according to one inside The email exchange included appears in the court file and consulted by AFP.
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After some back and forth since January 4 about the advisability and conditions of such an exemption request, Judge Engoron issued a sharp denial on Wednesday.
The day before, the lawyer had requested that the dispute be postponed to January 29, arguing that Donald Trump's wife's mother had just “passed away” and that his client was “very close” to her.
The request was rejected by Judge Engoron, who then this Wednesday afternoon gave Donald Trump an ultimatum to accept all of these conditions: “It's: take it or leave it.” It's now or never. You have until lunchtime, in seven minutes. I will not allow any additional delay.”
Fifteen minutes later, the judge decided in a new email: “He will not speak in court tomorrow” on Thursday.
Since the trial began on October 2, every time he comes to court, in the courtroom or in the hallways, the 77-year-old businessman has railed against justice, denouncing a “witch hunt” or a “trial worthy of a banana republic.” “. . After attacks on his employee, Judge Engoron banned him from speaking about his team and imposed two fines totaling $15,000 for violating the order.