The ongoing civil fraud trial of former President Donald Trump, presided over by Justice Arthur Engoron in the New York State Supreme Court in Manhattan, has witnessed recent contentious developments.
Attorney Chris Kise, representing Trump, requested the postponement of Trump’s testimony, scheduled for December 5, 2023. This request aimed to delay proceedings until an appeals court examines the gag order set by Judge Engoron, which prohibits Trump and his attorneys from criticizing the judge’s law clerk and court staff. However, Judge Engoron firmly rejected this request, stating, “Absolutely not. No way. No how. It’s a nonstarter.”
Further altering the trial’s dynamics, Eric Trump, originally due to testify, withdrew from the defense case. Donald Trump explained this decision on his platform, Truth Social, and in what seemed like a meltdown caused by frustration, accused New York Attorney General Letitia James of orchestrating a “RIGGED TRIAL.”
The trial, centered on allegations by Attorney General James of fraudulent inflation of Trump’s net worth by Trump, his sons, and the Trump Organization, has surpassed two months. Justice Engoron has made an initial ruling, deeming Trump responsible for ongoing fraud.
The defense’s strategy, including expert witnesses and testimony from Donald Trump Jr., has been critiqued for appearing as a public relations campaign rather than a substantive legal argument. Trump’s legal team has also challenged the impartiality of Judge Engoron and his law clerk, unsuccessfully requesting a mistrial.
Judge Engoron has shown limited tolerance for Trump’s legal maneuvers, previously fining Trump for contempt and criticizing the defense’s arguments as “borderline frivolous” and indicative of a “fantasy world.”
The trial’s outcome could significantly affect Trump’s business endeavors. Attorney General James is pursuing $250 million in fines and aims to bar Trump and his sons from executive roles in New York-based businesses, also seeking to limit their real estate activities in the state for five years. Trump’s lawyers have indicated their intention to appeal any adverse verdict.
