Former President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media while arriving for the second day of his civil fraud trial in New York on Oct. 3, 2023.
Kena Betancur | AFP | Getty Images
Donald Trump and his presidential campaign lashed out Tuesday at a New York judge and his top law clerk during the second day of his $250 million business fraud trial.
Trump has frequently attacked Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron and Attorney General Letitia James, who brought the civil fraud lawsuit against the ex-president, his family members and his company.
On Tuesday, Trump targeted Engoron’s principal law clerk by sharing a social media post that included her full name and a photo of her posing with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., as they both smiled.
Trump in his repost called the clerk “Schumer’s girlfriend” and accused her of “running this case against me.”
“How disgraceful!” Trump wrote in his Truth Social post. “This case should be dismissed immediately!!”
Trump mentioned Schumer and the clerk again during another break later Tuesday, as he claimed that the trial was “rigged” and “fraudulent.”
The clerk is seated almost directly across from Trump in court.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump and Justice Arthur Engoron of the state Supreme Court listen to opening arguments by Kevin Wallace (not seen), a lawyer in state Attorney General Letitia James’ office, during the trial of Trump, his adult sons, the Trump Organization and others in a civil fraud case brought by James, at a Manhattan courthouse, in New York City, U.S., October 2, 2023 in this courtroom sketch.
Jane Rosenberg | Reuters
Trump’s presidential campaign then sent out a lengthy email criticizing Engoron as a “Far-Left Democrat.”
The email, entitled “Meet Judge Arthur F. Engoron,” cited numerous stories in conservative media accusing Engoron of political bias.
Trump on Tuesday said that he will testify in the trial “at the appropriate time.”
He is named as a potential witness on lists submitted by his own attorneys, and by lawyers for James.
The government’s first witness, Donald Bender, former President Donald Trump’s former accountant at Mazars USA, attends the trial of Trump, his adult sons, the Trump Organization and others in a civil fraud case brought by state Attorney General Letitia James, in New York, Oct. 3, 2023.
Eduardo Munoz | Reuters
Trump had already slammed James as a “fraud” and called for the case to be dismissed before the trial resumed Tuesday morning.
“And she should probably be dismissed also,” he said of James.
The attorney general accuses Trump, two of his adult sons, the Trump Organization, and top executives of fraudulently valuing real estate properties to obtain more favorable loan and insurance terms, and tax benefits.
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Trump on Tuesday said, “Her numbers are fraudulent.”
He had glared at James on the first day of the trial when he passed her walking out of the courtroom.
The second day of trial resumed with testimony from Donald Bender, a former accountant for Trump and his business.
In addition to seeking $250 million in damages, James is seeking a ban on Trump and his sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, from running a business in New York.
This is developing news. Please check back for updates.
Source link: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/10/03/trump-business-fraud-trial-former-president-blasts-new-york-ag.html