It’s a first round. Donald Trump, combative and abusive, defends himself under oath in a New York court this Monday during a high-stakes civil trial for his real estate empire, an almost unprecedented moment for American democracy and the first in a long series of legal meetings for the billionaire who dreams of returning to the White House.
Since 10 a.m., the 77-year-old former President of the United States, accused of colossally increasing the value of his real estate assets, such as the Trump Tower in New York, in order to seduce the banks, has been defending himself step by step and answering in detail to every question posed by prosecutor Kevin Wallace in a packed Manhattan courtroom where he took the oath with his hands raised.
” Answer the question “
After two hours, the tempestuous billionaire finally began several insults against the Attorney General and Judge Arthur Engoron.
“It’s a really, really unfair trial and I hope people see that,” he said, while the judge, with whom he has had a terrible relationship since the hearings began on October 2, asked him several times for shorter answers admit. In half a day, Donald Trump denounced “the exploitation of justice” and a judge who “always rules against him.” Attorney General Letitia James has been called a “little politician.”
“Can you check your client, we are not at a political meeting,” warned the judge, who has already imposed two fines of $5,000 and $10,000 on him since the trial opened, warning his clerk. Addressing Donald Trump, he emphasized: “You can attack me all you want, but answer the question.”
Despite all these digressions, the essentials were barely touched upon. Donald Trump put the fluctuations in the value of his properties into perspective by assuring that he had carried out “a lot of renovations” in one of his buildings in Manhattan and that, according to estimates by the American judiciary, the “Trump brand” had been “undervalued”.
“Did you approve the $600 million valuation of 40 Wall Street?” emphasizes a prosecutor. “I don’t remember,” Trump replies, pointing out that the number is from 12 years ago. Faced with an email in which his son claims that “DJT” gave that number to a journalist, he realizes that it is actually his initials (for “Donald J. Trump”).
A historical testimony
In that case, Attorney General Letitia James, a Democratic elected official, filed a civil lawsuit against employees of the Trump Organization, accusing Trump’s father and son of overstating the assets of the group – a variety of companies that manage skyscrapers, hotels, etc to have luxury residences or golf courses around the world – to get better bank loans and cheaper insurance conditions.
It is the first time in more than 100 years that a former president has been called to testify in his defense in a trial since Theodore Roosevelt in the 1910s.
Unlike the four other criminal cases in which he is charged, Donald Trump is not risking prison time in this civil case, but his financial role is large and the case is off to a bad start. Since the fraud has already been established, the proceedings focus in particular on the amount of the fine. Attorney General Letitia James is seeking $250 million and bans on conducting business for the Republican billionaire and his children. The fines could be much higher, forcing Donald Trump to liquidate several properties.