The civil fraud trial of former President Donald Trump, overseen by Justice Arthur Engoron at the New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan, has recently escalated in tension.
Trump’s lawyer, Chris Kise, sought a postponement of Trump’s testimony scheduled for Tuesday, December 5, 2023, pending an appellate court review of the gag order imposed by Judge Engoron. This order limits Trump and his legal team from criticizing the judge’s law clerk and court staff. However, Engoron denied the postponement request, stating, “Absolutely not. No way. No how. It’s a nonstarter.”
Eric Trump, initially slated to testify for the defense, will no longer do so. Donald Trump, expressing his views on Truth Social, advised Eric against testifying in what he labeled a “RIGGED TRIAL” allegedly orchestrated by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
The trial, now over two months long, involves allegations by Attorney General James against Trump, his sons Donald Jr. and Eric, and the Trump Organization for purportedly inflating Trump’s net worth in financial statements to secure advantageous terms from banks and insurers. Justice Engoron has preliminarily ruled Trump liable for continuous fraud.
The defense, which has included expert witnesses and testimony from Donald Trump Jr., has been criticized for resembling more of a public relations effort than a legal argument. Additionally, Trump’s lawyers have repeatedly accused Judge Engoron and his law clerk of bias, even unsuccessfully seeking a mistrial on these grounds.
Judge Engoron has expressed frustration with Trump’s legal tactics, previously imposing a contempt fine on Trump and describing the defense’s arguments as “borderline frivolous” and “living in a fantasy world.”
The trial’s conclusion may significantly impact Trump and his business operations. Attorney General James seeks $250 million in penalties and aims to prohibit Trump and his sons from executive roles in New York-based businesses and limit their real estate dealings in the state for five years. Despite the impending verdict, Trump’s legal team has indicated plans to appeal any unfavorable decision.