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Former President Donald Trump began testifying Monday morning in his civil fraud trial, where he is accused of dramatically inflating his net worth.
Trump's return to the witness stand, in a case that cuts to the heart of the business brand he spent decades building, marks a remarkable convergence of his legal troubles and political ventures at a time when he also faces criminal charges. while competing to return to the White House in 2024.
Within minutes, he was asked about the financial documents at the heart of the case -- his "annual statements of financial position." They went to banks, lenders and others to secure financing and deals. The Attorney General's office says they were overblown and misleading.
As he has done before testifying, Trump played down the significance of the statements, noting that he had no responsibility for the inflated asset values, but that it was the Banks' fault for not looking carefully at them.
"The banks didn't see them as very important and they had a disclaimer. I probably know the banks as well and they know what they look at. They look at the deal, they look at the location," Trump said .
Although Trump initially answered questions matter-of-factly, his tensions with state Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engeron — who last month fined him $10,000 for violating a gag order — were evident.
Trump complained in court that his 2014 financial statements should not be the subject of the lawsuit at all.
" First of all it's a long time ago, it's way beyond the statute of limitations ," Trump said before turning on the judge, saying he allowed state attorneys to pursue claims involving such old documents because he always decides against him.
Engoron said, " You can attack me any way you want, but please answer the questions. "
The courtroom at 60 Center St. it has already become a popular destination for Trump. He has spent hours over the past month voluntarily sitting at the defense table, observing the proceedings. Trump denied breaking the rules, but Judge Arthur Engoron disagreed and fined him anyway.
Eric Trump, the former president's middle son, who testified in the case last week, said his father was eager for him to take the stand.
" I know he's very excited to be here. And he thinks this is one of the most incredible injustices he has ever seen. And it really is ," the youngest told reporters Friday, insisting his family was winning even though the judge has already largely ruled against them. / AP
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