In a scathing diatribe posted on his Truth Social platform on Monday night, former President Donald Trump launched a vehement verbal attack against Judge Arthur Engoron and New York Attorney General Letitia James, as reported by Mediaite on December 19, 2023.
The outburst followed a day of dramatic developments in the ongoing fraud case against Trump and his family business, the Trump Organization, which is approaching its conclusion.
Initiated on November 29, 2023, the trial stems from a civil lawsuit filed by AG James in August 2020. The suit alleges that Trump and his company manipulated asset values to secure loans and tax benefits, while simultaneously deflating values to minimize liabilities. Seeking to dissolve the Trump Organization and impose a 10-year ban on Trump and his children from serving as directors of any New York-based company, the lawsuit has been a focal point of legal battles.
On Monday, Judge Engoron dismissed Trump’s legal team’s attempt to have the case thrown out, branding it “meritless” and “frivolous.” He rebuffed arguments asserting the case’s transfer to the commercial court, the expiration of the statute of limitations, and the AG’s authority under the Martin Act. Furthermore, Judge Engoron upheld the gag order issued on December 6, 2023, prohibiting Trump and his lawyers from making statements that could interfere with justice.
Despite a temporary lifting of the gag order by an appellate court on December 13, 2023, Trump reinstated the order on December 18, 2023. Ignoring the order in his social media posts, Trump reiterated unfounded claims, labeling the case a “witch hunt” orchestrated by AG James for political gain and accusing Judge Engoron of constitutional rights violations.
Trump’s posts also revealed his decision not to testify in his defense, attributing the choice to Judge Engoron’s gag order. However, the order only restricts Trump from making disparaging remarks outside the courtroom, not from providing testimony within it.
This decision contradicts Trump’s earlier statements expressing eagerness to testify and clear his name. The trial is expected to conclude soon, with closing arguments scheduled for January 11, 2024. Judge Engoron, after Trump waived his right to a jury trial in October 2023, will render the verdict. If found liable, Trump faces substantial fines, penalties, and potential dissolution of his company, along with a prohibition from conducting any business in New York.
