UNITED STATES: Donald Trump criticised a trial in New York for diverting attention from his 2024 White House bid, citing a limited gag order in a separate criminal case. Trump also criticized a Washington judge’s order in a separate trial for his 2020 election defeat attempt, highlighting his current leadership in the Republican nomination race.
Donald Trump appeared in a New York court for the third week of a civil fraud trial, involving claims that he falsified his wealth to secure better loan terms. Trump referred to Iowa and New Hampshire as crucial states in the US presidential election campaign. Despite not being obligated to attend, Trump chose to attend the trial, as he has often used his legal troubles to raise funds for his campaign.
Donald Trump, wearing a dark blue suit with an American flag pin, criticized the Biden administration and claimed the probe was a political witch hunt. Trump’s legal issues have led to a surge in small donor contributions, allowing him to nearly match Democratic President Joe Biden’s fundraising pace in the reelection race.
Trump alluded to a Monday order at the civil trial that prohibits him from disparaging U.S. prosecutors, court personnel, and any witnesses in a different criminal case where he is charged with attempting to overturn his 2020 election defeat.
The order, which was placed on Donald Trump by Justice Engoron, does not apply to the civil case, where he attacked a court clerk in a post on his Truth Social platform. Trump claims that the gag order is railroading and that he is not permitted to discuss court employees in public.
Letitia James, New York’s Democratic attorney general, is suing Trump for misrepresenting the worth of his properties for ill-gotten gains. The Trump Organization’s accountant, Donna Kidder, provided testimony on the company’s internal bookkeeping procedures and financial statement preparation.
According to the attorney general’s office, Donald Trump’s real estate appraiser, Doug Larson, estimated that Trump’s 40 Wall Street properties were worth $200 million less than he claimed in financial records.
Trump has attacked James and the court presiding over the case, denied any misconduct, and defended the assessments of his properties. He also called the case a “fraud.”
Donald Trump also stated that the real worth of his holdings, including the Mar-a-Lago property in Palm Beach, Florida, was “close to 100 times” what James’ office claimed.
Michael Cohen, Trump’s former attorney, is set to testify next week in the case of Trump’s fraud. Engoron discovered Trump had committed fraud in September and ordered the dissolution of businesses owned by his most valuable properties, including Manhattan’s Trump Tower.
The main issue at trial is damages, with James requesting $250 million in fines, a permanent injunction against Trump and his sons from operating companies in New York, and a five-year injunction against Trump and the Trump Organisation in the commercial real estate market.
Also Read: Donald Trump Found Responsible for Fraud in Civil Case in New York
