Former President Donald Trump, fresh from the courtroom where forensic accountant Eli Bartov provided testimony seemingly favoring his defense, expressed a somber outlook on his ongoing legal battle under the scrutiny of Justice Arthur Engoron.
While Bartov categorically declared the absence of financial misconduct or fraud within Trump’s company records during his testimony, the ex-president, addressing reporters, maintained a pessimistic stance. Referring to Bartov’s findings contradicting New York Attorney General Letitia James’ allegations, Trump stated, “He reviewed fully the documents that this horrendous attorney general has put forward, and he found absolutely no fraud, accounting fraud of any kind.”
In a surprising turn, Trump, despite potentially exonerating testimony, hinted at a lack of confidence in Justice Engoron’s impartiality. “We will probably go forward, and I’m sure nothing will have any bearing on what this judge does,” he declared flatly.
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This admission underscores Trump’s belief that Engoron may render a verdict against him irrespective of the presented evidence in this landmark civil trial. It marks a departure from his customary defiance in claiming victimhood against perceived bias and hatred during legal scrutiny.
Sitting at the defense table with attorneys Christopher Kise and Alina Habba, Trump’s tone conveyed a sense of resignation, implying that even expert analysis absolving his business may hold little weight under Engoron’s supervision of the high-profile case.
Critics contend that Trump’s apparent surrender might be less a strategic shift than a calculated move to position himself as an underdog for potential political gain. This unexpected acknowledgment of Engoron’s alleged unwavering stance has raised eyebrows across the political spectrum.
Despite Trump’s asserted expectations, there remains a lingering possibility that Engoron, faced with formal testimony exonerating the former president, may find it challenging to ignore the substantial implications of a case that holds immense stakes for Trump’s financial future.
