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In fraud trial, Trump brings his campaign to the courtroom

Former President Donald Trump frequently attacks the multiple legal cases against him as political attempts to impede his presidential campaign. But in many ways, it’s Mr. Trump who appears to be bringing the campaign into the courtroom – to possibly advantageous effect.

On Monday, Mr. Trump took the stand in his civil fraud trial in New York and gave expansive answers in which he portrayed himself as a victim, Attorney General Letitia James as a political hack, and the judge overseeing the trial as biased.

Why We Wrote This

In the legal proceedings against him, former President Donald Trump has largely avoided taking the stand. On Monday, he did. The takeaway? Whether in court or on the campaign trail, his message remains the same.

That judge, Arthur Engoron, at one point exasperatedly asked one of Mr. Trump’s lawyers to control his client and get the former president to answer the specific questions about the case.

“This is not a political rally,” said Judge Engoron.

Attorney General James is asking for $250 million in damages and a prohibition on the Trump family doing business in the state. She charges that Mr. Trump, his adult sons, and other co-defendants committed fraud by exaggerating the value of real estate assets on financial statements to get better terms on loans and insurance.

Prior to the beginning of testimony, Judge Engoron ruled that evidence shows the Trumps were indeed guilty of “persistent and repeated” fraud. He will rule on damages, which could include the Trumps losing control of signature properties, after the trial concludes.

Former President Donald Trump frequently attacks the multiple legal cases against him as political attempts to impede his presidential campaign. But in many ways, it’s Mr. Trump who appears to be bringing the campaign into the courtroom – to possibly advantageous effect.

On Monday, Mr. Trump took the stand in his civil fraud trial in New York and gave expansive answers in which he portrayed himself as a victim, Attorney General Letitia James as a political hack, and the judge overseeing the trial as biased.

That judge, Arthur Engoron, at one point exasperatedly asked one of Mr. Trump’s lawyers to control his client and get the former president to answer the specific questions about the case.

Why We Wrote This

In the legal proceedings against him, former President Donald Trump has largely avoided taking the stand. On Monday, he did. The takeaway? Whether in court or on the campaign trail, his message remains the same.

“I do not want to hear everything this witness has to say. He has a lot to say that has nothing to do with the case,” said Judge Engoron.

“This is not a political rally,” he added.

The former president later attacked the judge for his comments, posting a picture of him on his social media site Truth Social, with the quote, “No, I’m not here to hear what [President Trump] has to say.” 

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