One hour in his testimonyDonald Trump’s comments on the witness stand during his civil fraud trial led to multiple reprimands from Judge Arthur Engoron, who repeatedly told Trump not to make a speech and simply respond to questions. questions.
Trump paid little attention to the judge’s instructions, continuing to make lengthy asides about the value of his properties and the unfairness of the case.
Deputy Attorney General Kevin Wallace, who is questioning Trump, walked Trump through his 2014 financial statements, asking questions about his role in preparing assessments of his properties.
Trump was calm in his responses, but at the same time he gave long speeches about the value of his brand and why his properties are worth more than what they were stated for in the statements.
Engoron repeatedly became frustrated with Trump’s responses, cutting him off and removing his response from the record.
“We’re here to hear him answer questions and most of the time he doesn’t,” Engoron said.
Trump shook his head, his lips pursed. Kise urged the judge to listen to Trump’s response, saying what he had to say got to the heart of the case.
“The court needs to hear what he has to say about these statements,” Kise said. “He tells you why he had no intention of misleading anyone with his answers. That’s what he does.”
“No, I’m not here to hear what he has to say. I’m here to hear him answer questions,” Engoron responded, raising his voice and telling Trump’s lawyers to “sit down already.”
Trump then interjected before the questions continued: “This is a very, very unfair trial. Very, very and I hope the public is watching,” he said, leaning toward the microphone.
Wallace tried to pin Trump down on his involvement in preparing his financial statements, which New York Attorney General Letitia James said were fraudulently used to obtain better loan rates — and the judge has already ruled that it was a fraud.
Trump gave tortuous answers in response.
“Well, let’s see,” Trump said when asked about the valuation of his 40th-ranked Wall Street property in his 2014 financial statements.
“You go back a long way, are you still in 2014. Five year statute of limitations. You’re still in 2014.”
Wallace urged Trump to focus on valuing 40 Wall Street.
Trump ultimately responded, “I guess so” when asked if Wall Street’s valuation of 40% was based on true and accurate information.
In response to another question about his role in preparing the financial statements, Trump said: “I accepted it. Other people have done it. But I didn’t say raise it or lower it. »