Former President Donald Trump’s appearance in court for a landmark fraud trial showcased his familiar approach of disregarding rules and technicalities while using bluster and bragging to navigate the proceedings. This hearing provided a glimpse into how he may behave as a defendant in the four upcoming criminal cases against him. Throughout the trial, Trump repeatedly frustrated Judge Arthur Engoron by evading direct answers to questions posed by the attorney general’s office. Rather than addressing queries about accounting documents and dates, he went off on tangents about the value of his properties and the supposed biases of the judge and prosecutors.
At one point, Trump exclaimed, “This is a very unfair trial…and I hope the public is watching.” Knowing that he had an audience, Trump used his time on the stand to vigorously defend himself from prosecutors, employing the same language he has used on social media and in campaign speeches to energize his base. Even when asked a technical question about the control of a trust holding his assets during his tenure in the White House, Trump responded with a combative tone, accusing Democrats and Trump haters of targeting him from all sides.
During questioning about the valuation of his brand, Trump boasted, “I became president because of my brand. I sell books at incredible levels because of my brand.” When avoiding questions about a windfarm near his Scottish golf course, he reiterated his opposition to such projects, stating, “I’m not a windmill person. I think I’m proven to be right.”
Throughout the morning, Trump evaded questions with evasive and partisan answers. Judge Engoron reprimanded him multiple times, reminding him that the courtroom was not a political rally. Witnesses typically do not speak without prompting, but Trump’s unique position led his attorney, Chris Kise, to argue for his right to speak. However, the judge insisted on treating Trump like any other defendant.
The attorney general’s office has accused Trump, his top employees, and his companies of inflating the value of their assets on financial statements to obtain more favorable loans. While testifying, the former president took the opportunity to emphasize the value of his brand, a strategy he successfully employed when launching his political career. In between his outbursts, Trump sought to establish that his assets were worth much more than indicated on paper. He claimed his Florida estate, Mar-a-Lago, was worth a “very big number” and asserted that Trump Tower held the best location in New York.
Trump’s courtroom experience is not new. Judge Engoron had previously briefly placed him on the stand during the trial due to remarks he made about the judge’s clerk. However, he currently appears as a former president, the leading contender for the Republican nomination, and a defendant in four separate criminal trials that carry potential jail time. These trials will unfold alongside the US presidential election next year.
As the threats against him mount, Trump’s rhetoric has become more aggressive, resembling the political street fighter persona that propelled him to win the 2016 Republican nomination. He has directly attacked prosecutors by name and criticized court staff. In early October, Judge Engoron issued a gag order against Trump after he made disparaging remarks about the clerk. Thus far, Trump has been fined $15,000, and his attorneys have also been placed under a gag order for alleging bias on the clerk’s part.
During his morning testimony, Trump even took a swipe at the judge, stating, “I’m sure the judge will rule against me because he always rules against me.” Judge Engoron responded, “You can attack me, do whatever you want. But answer the question.” The trial will continue in the afternoon.
(This article includes additional reporting from Madeline Halpert & Chloe Kim in court in New York.)
