Judge Arthur Engoron sided with Donald Trump’s lawyers, rejecting an objection from the New York attorney general’s office to admit a PowerPoint presentation laying out the history of the Trump Organization.
Donald Trump Jr. walked through the company’s history, dating back to his great-grandfather, who he said created hotels for miners during the Yukon Territory’s gold rush in Canada.
The presentation, titled “The Trump Story,” also included photos of Donald Trump with his father, Fred Trump, as well as stylish photos of various Trump buildings.
The PowerPoint included Trump’s purchase of Mar-a-Lago in 1985, which Trump Jr. described as “one of the rare types of American castles.”
“Since the early 1900s, has there been a waiver of the statute of limitations?,” Andrew Amer, attorney for the attorney general, said with a laugh.
Assistant Attorney General Kevin Wallace objected to the presentation, saying the textual descriptions framed the witness.
But Engoron authorized the presentation.
“Giving you six weeks, you’re going to get me in trouble with Mr. (Chris) Kise – he’s going to say I’m still speaking out against him,” Engoron said. “No, let these things in.”
“I also find it interesting,” Engoron said. “The objection is overruled. Let him go on and talk about the greatness of the Trump Organization.”
More context: The judge ruled in favor of the defense after weeks of rejecting objections from Trump’s lawyers during the attorney general’s presentation. But in recent days, Engoron has sided with Trump’s team, including saying last week that he would let their experts testify because he didn’t want a new trial and didn’t want him be canceled.
The judge also sided with Trump’s lawyers during the trial, but that indicates he’s going to give both sides wide latitude in their presentation.