Donald Trump Jr. took the witness stand on Wednesday, offering a surprising contrast to the serious atmosphere. The 45-year-old defended himself in the ongoing $250 million civil fraud trial, where he and his family face allegations from New York Attorney General Letitia James that his father, former President Donald Trump, inflated the value of his assets to secure favorable loan and insurance terms.
Throughout his roughly 75-minute testimony, Don Jr. did not shy away from humor, leaving the courtroom in fits of laughter. He denied any involvement in the financial statements under scrutiny, emphasizing that professional accountants handled such matters. “I did not,” he asserted when asked about his contribution to his father’s “statement of financial condition,” adding, “The accountants worked on it, that’s what we pay them for.”
Don Jr.’s jokes and light-hearted banter provided moments of levity, with his comment about his lack of understanding of accounting lingo drawing chuckles from the gallery. “I rely on professionals and CPAs. We pay millions of dollars, and [they] have great degrees,” he quipped.
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The courtroom atmosphere remained light-hearted as Don Jr. engaged in banter with Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron and AG lawyer Colleen Faherty. A discussion about the pronunciation of the word “revocable” turned into a witty exchange, with Don Jr. playfully admitting his uncertainty, eliciting more laughter.
However, beneath the humor, serious legal matters unfolded. Don Jr. clarified the power dynamics within the Trump Organization, explaining that he and his brother Eric operated on equal footing in the family real estate empire from 2011 through 2017. He detailed his focus on international business, hotel ventures, and licensing deals during this period.
As the trial entered its fifth week, tension escalated. Earlier in the day, former Trump Org. Vice President David Orowitz and Michiel McCarty, the chairman and CEO of an investment bank, testified. McCarty, the state’s expert witness, claimed that Trump’s alleged inflation of assets led banks to lose $168 million, benefiting the former president by securing lower interest rates.
The courtroom witnessed heated exchanges between Trump’s lawyers and McCarty, with Justice Engoron intervening to maintain decorum. Trump’s attorney, Christopher Kise, emphasized the importance of challenging McCarty’s credibility, expressing frustration at the interruptions.
The trial is set to continue, with Eric Trump expected to take the witness stand next. The former president himself is scheduled to testify on Monday, followed by Ivanka Trump on Wednesday. With the courtroom drama unfolding, the nation remains captivated, awaiting the trial’s outcome and its potential implications for the Trump family’s real estate empire.
