“I did nothing wrong,” Donald Trump was unexpectedly granted a brief address to a New York judge Thursday at the conclusion of a civil fraud case that threatened his business empire, declaring: “I did nothing wrong.”
The dramatic moment comes as three Trump lawyers each make their final pitch to Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron, arguing that the claims against the former president and the proposed $370 million fine are “a fabrication.” It was expanded after doing so.
The 77-year-old president said of New York Attorney General Letitia James' office, which is prosecuting the case and seeking huge fines, “I did nothing wrong. They are the ones we should go through.” They should pay the price for what they should have done.”
Engoron has said he plans to rule on the non-jury case by the end of the month, but on Wednesday he did not participate in closing arguments because President Trump did not agree to stick to the “material relevant facts.” It was ruled that it could not be done. ”
But just before the court's lunch break on Thursday, Trump's lawyer asked Engoron if his client could speak.
“If I let you speak, can you promise me that you will stick to the law and the facts?” Engoron asked Trump, sitting in the defense box surrounded by his lawyers.
But the real estate mogul, dressed in a blue suit, white shirt and red tie, did not answer questions, instead launching into a rambling speech in response to Mr Engoron's protests: “This is not how it should be.” .
“This case goes beyond just the facts,” Trump said as he began addressing the justices from his seat. “The fact is, the financial statements were perfect and the bank couldn't be happier.”
“This is not consumer fraud. What happened here is fraud against me,” he said.
President Trump said, “There are circumstances in which I am innocent.'' “I have been persecuted.''
Trump, the leading Republican candidate for the 2024 election, later called the case a “political witch hunt” and tweeted about the judge, “I know you have your own agenda.” The attack began.
“Mr. Kise, please control the client,” replied an irritated Engoron.
Mr. Engoron had timed Mr. Trump to speak for only five minutes, but at one point he held up his cellphone and said “one minute,” signaling that he needed to end.
Five minutes later, Mr. Engoron interrupted Mr. Trump and said: “Thank you, Mr. Trump, you should have done this differently. You would have had more time.”
Mr. Trump left the building during his lunch break and later held a press conference at 40 Wall Street, one of the Manhattan properties threatened by Mr. James' lawsuit.
James and the former president's son Eric Trump sat in the front row of the courtroom during Kise's nearly two-hour closing remarks, during which Kise said the AG would put Trump out of business. He claimed that he was trying to do so. For many years, it has been “part of the fabric of real estate” in New York City and the United States.
He claimed the incident was “fabricated” by James to “pursue political objectives”.
James' office alleges that Trump lied in annual financial statements from 2011 to 2021 and overstated his assets by billions of dollars to get better terms on loans and insurance. ing.
But Kise reiterated his assertion that there were no victims in the case, saying that both banks and President Trump benefited from his loans.
“They are opening their doors and rolling out the red carpet for President Trump,” Kise told Engoron about the banks. “He's a whale customer.”
He also slammed the AG's key witness, Michael Cohen, as a “serial liar” who “hates Trump” and asked the judge to give less weight to the convicted felon's testimony.
President Trump's lawyer Alina Haba then spoke briefly, theatrically addressing the courtroom gallery at 60 Center Street and sarcastically saying, “Fraud!” What a scammer. ”
Mr. Haba later said that Mr. Trump “did his best” but did not intend to “hurt” the imperial state.
Cliff Robert, a lawyer for Trump's eldest sons Eric and Don Jr., said hyperbolically that the AG was seeking a technical “death penalty” against his client.
Mr. Cohen, Mr. Trump's former lawyer and “fixer,” said in an email to the Post on Thursday that Mr. Trump was playing a “blame game” and predicted the former commander-in-chief would lose the case. he said.
Attorneys for the AG began their closing arguments after a lunch break.
On Wednesday, Mr. Engoron told Mr. Kise that Mr. Trump's closing argument would be allowed because his team refused to abide by the judge's condition that he only abide by the evidence presented at trial and follow the same rules as lawyers. He said it would not be done.
Before the trial began Thursday morning, Engoron received a bomb threat at his Great Neck home, sparking speculation about whether the trial would begin as scheduled. However, closing arguments began as scheduled just after 10 a.m., with increased security at the lower Manhattan courthouse.
Trump's lawyers had asked for the closing to be delayed following the incident involving Trump's mother-in-law, Amalia Knabs. died on tuesday.
Engoron denied the request, citing confusion among court staff, but the judge nevertheless expressed his condolences and apologized.
