Sparks flew in a Fulton County, Georgia, courtroom Thursday afternoon. Embattled Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis took the stand against allegations of an “unwarranted” affair with special prosecutor Nathan Wade that could derail her case against former President Trump.
At one point, Ms. Willis was excitedly asked by Mr. Trump’s lawyer, Ashley Merchant, if she had “proof” that Mr. Trump had reimbursed Mr. Wade for his vacation money because the payment was in cash.
Willis responded, “The testimony of one witness is sufficient to prove the facts.” “Are you saying I’m lying?”
The lawyer responded, “I’m asking if there is any evidence.” Willis then retorted, “The proof is what I just said.”
Judge warns Fani Willis over outburst in heated testimony
Fulton County DA Fannie Willis (Getty Images)
“Did Nathan Wade ever visit where you laid your head?” Merchant asked Willis with another question related to the timeline of his relationship with Wade.
“When?” Willis replied angrily.
“Has he ever visited where you lay your head?” the lawyer repeated.
Trump-Georgia judge says allegations of ‘inappropriate’ affair with Da Fani Willis ‘could lead to disbarment’
“You lied, so let’s get this straight,” Willis said before picking up various stacks of papers.
“You lied here,” Willis said, and when her lawyer interjected, she yelled, “No, no, no.”
“That’s a lie,” Willis said, holding two stacks of papers above his head. “That’s a lie.”
At this point, a five-minute break was ordered.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis testifies in the State of Georgia v. Donald John Trump case at the Fulton County Courthouse in Atlanta on February 15, 2024. (Alyssa Pointerpool/Getty Images)
The situation became so heated that at one point the judge issued a warning to Willis.
”He never came there. So if he doesn’t come somewhere, he can’t live there,” Willis said, prompting a response from Judge Scott McAfee.
Fulton County’s Da Fani charged with lying about timing of affair with Trump prosecutor
“We have to be careful with this,” McAfee said. “Just ask me the questions. If this keeps happening again and again, I have no choice but to testify.”
Willis on another occasion objected to being characterized as a hostile witness.
“I’m not a hostile witness because I really want to be here,” Willis said. “I really want to be here.”
Former President Trump speaks at the New York Young Republicans Club Gala at Cipriani Wall Street on December 9, 2023 in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
“Mr. Willis, you’re more of a damaging witness than a hostile witness,” McAfee responded. “Your interests are in conflict with Mr. Merchant’s interests.”
“Contrary to democracy, Mr. Merchant’s interests are your Lordship’s, not mine,” Willis replied.
”I had contact with Mr. Wade in 2021, and that’s one of the reasons why your claims and Ms. Merchant’s claims are so ridiculous,” Willis said in another moment, but Trump He was interrupted by attorney Steve Sadow, who asked a second question about timing. Scene from the meeting with Wade.
“Mr. Wade has a type of cancer, and your claims are somewhat ridiculous, so his contact with me has been very limited,” Willis said.
“I really appreciate this characterization,” Sadow said.
“I’m not going to eviscerate black men,” Willis responded. “Do you understand? I don’t think we need to discuss it further.”
“You’re confused,” Willis said at another point in the trial. “You think I’m on trial? These people are on trial for trying to steal the 2020 election. No matter how much you try to put me on trial, I’m not on trial.”
Willis hired Wade in 2021 to help prosecute a major extortion case against Trump. Mr. Trump’s co-defendant, Michael Roman, claimed in a court filing last month that he obtained a financial benefit from hiring Mr. Wade because of his personal relationship with Mr. Willis, and Mr. Willis sued. argued that it should be stripped from the
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Mr. Wade took the stand at the beginning of the hearing. Craig Gillen, a lawyer for Trump co-defendant David Schaefer, who also asked the court to disbar Willis, earlier asked Wade about Willis’ repayments for paid time off in cash. .
The defense seeks to prove the existence and extent of Willis’ financial interest in his relationship with Wade, which is at the heart of the argument that Willis should be disqualified.
Wade said he “does not remember” traveling with Willis in 2021, when he was hired by the DA’s office, but he does remember traveling with her in 2022 and 2023. He testified that his relationship with Willis began in March 2022, and that their relationship began in March 2022. We started traveling together in 2022.
Ms. Wade testified that Ms. Willis reimbursed her for half of their travel expenses.
Wade also testified that he did not receive as much compensation from Fulton County as the defense claimed.. Specifically, in 2022, Fulton County paid his law firm approximately $300,000. But Wade said he received about $100,000 because the payments were spread among three people who worked for the company, all of whom had contracts with the Fulton County Attorney’s Office for various reasons.
Wade’s testimony contradicts earlier bombshell statements from Willis’ former “good friend” who testified Thursday that he had “no doubt” that Willis and Wade had been in a “romantic” relationship since 2019. , contradicting Willis’ previous statements in court.
The court adjourned Thursday around 5 p.m., and Willis is scheduled to continue testifying again Friday.
Fox News Digital’s Brianna Herlihy and Matteo Cina contributed to this report
