Trump hurls insults in short remarks at fraud trial
Former president ignores restrictions as he attacks the N.Y. attorney general and says judge has his own agenda
NEW YORK — Former President Donald Trump on Thursday delivered abrupt remarks in his own defense on the final day of his civil fraud trial in Manhattan, attacking the New York attorney general, who brought the case, insulting the judge to his face and declaring himself “an innocent man.”
Trump’s remarks were chaotic and emotional and lasted only minutes, during which he impugned the attorney general, Letitia James, a Democrat, saying she “hates Trump and uses Trump to get elected.”
He also took aim at the judge, Arthur Engoron, remarking, “You have your own agenda, I certainly understand that.” He added, as the judge stared stonily at him, “You can’t listen for more than one minute.”
Engoron instructed the former president’s lawyer to “control your client.” But Trump continued until the lunch break, at which point he stopped as suddenly as he had started.
Trump’s lawyers had initially put forward his plan to speak in his own defense last week, but Engoron ruled the former president could not deliver “a campaign speech” or attack the judge, his staff or James. Trump’s legal team objected, apparently scuttling his plan to speak, until one of his lawyers renewed the request at the end of the defense’s closing arguments Thursday and the judge permitted it.
But despite the judge’s objections and restrictions, the former president appeared to speak his mind exactly as he had planned, reiterating that he “did nothing wrong,” and arguing that the attorney general “should pay me” for what he’s gone through.
Trump’s lawyers kicked off the closing arguments Thursday with an attack on James, who brought the case accusing Trump of fraudulently inflating his net worth. Painting James as a rogue official, Trump’s legal team argued she had no actual evidence buttressing her claims, only partisan talking points.
“This entire case is a manufactured claim to pursue a political agenda,” said Christopher Kise, one of Trump’s lawyers, as the former president looked on from the defense table. “It has always been press releases and posturing, but no proof at all,” adding that “not one witness came into this courtroom” to say “there was fraud.”
Lawyers for James are now expected to counter that the former president violated state laws by exaggerating his net worth to obtain favorable loans and other financial benefits.
James’ lawyers will highlight internal emails and the testimony of onetime Trump employees to assert that Trump’s actions warrant a severe punishment. James wants to extract a $370 million penalty and to oust Trump from his own company and the wider world of New York real estate.