World
Trump: Trump returns to NY court amid fraud trial, denounces proceedings as ‘corrupt witch hunt’
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Former US president Donald Trump, currently facing a New York civil trial on fraud allegations alongside his two eldest sons, returned to court on Thursday as a spectator. Trump, a frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, has consistently criticized the trial, characterizing it as unfair. He and his sons are accused of inflating the value of their real estate assets to secure more favorable bank loans and insurance terms.
Ahead of the hearing, Trump took to social media, asserting that the “case was decided against me before it even started.” He has previously referred to the trial as a “witch hunt” and criticized the judge, Arthur Engoron, as “crazy” and “unhinged.” Trump also denounced New York Attorney General Letitia James, calling her “corrupt” and “racist.”
While Trump attended the trial as a spectator, he continued to express his discontent, describing the proceedings as a “very corrupt trial.” Inside the courtroom, Trump’s legal team questioned a witness, accountancy professor Eli Bartov, who provided evidence supporting Trump’s case.
The New York lawsuit, led by Attorney General Letitia James, alleges that Trump, his company, and some executives misled banks and insurers by providing financial statements with inflated values for key assets, such as Trump Tower and Mar-a-Lago. The statements were used to secure loans and favorable insurance terms. Trump denies any wrongdoing and claims that the case is a partisan abuse of power.
In addition to the civil trial, Trump faces federal charges for mishandling top-secret documents after leaving the White House. He has also been indicted for racketeering in Georgia over accusations of attempting to overturn the 2020 election results in the state.
As testimony in the trial winds down after more than two months, Trump is scheduled to take the witness stand again on December 11. The case, which puts Trump’s net worth and business practices under scrutiny, could have significant implications for his future business dealings in New York. The trial is expected to conclude before Christmas, with closing arguments scheduled for January, and a decision by the end of that month.
(with inputs from agencies)
Ahead of the hearing, Trump took to social media, asserting that the “case was decided against me before it even started.” He has previously referred to the trial as a “witch hunt” and criticized the judge, Arthur Engoron, as “crazy” and “unhinged.” Trump also denounced New York Attorney General Letitia James, calling her “corrupt” and “racist.”
While Trump attended the trial as a spectator, he continued to express his discontent, describing the proceedings as a “very corrupt trial.” Inside the courtroom, Trump’s legal team questioned a witness, accountancy professor Eli Bartov, who provided evidence supporting Trump’s case.
The New York lawsuit, led by Attorney General Letitia James, alleges that Trump, his company, and some executives misled banks and insurers by providing financial statements with inflated values for key assets, such as Trump Tower and Mar-a-Lago. The statements were used to secure loans and favorable insurance terms. Trump denies any wrongdoing and claims that the case is a partisan abuse of power.
In addition to the civil trial, Trump faces federal charges for mishandling top-secret documents after leaving the White House. He has also been indicted for racketeering in Georgia over accusations of attempting to overturn the 2020 election results in the state.
As testimony in the trial winds down after more than two months, Trump is scheduled to take the witness stand again on December 11. The case, which puts Trump’s net worth and business practices under scrutiny, could have significant implications for his future business dealings in New York. The trial is expected to conclude before Christmas, with closing arguments scheduled for January, and a decision by the end of that month.
(with inputs from agencies)
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