Months before Donald Trump faced questions as a witness in his civil fraud trial in New York, the former president was under intense legal scrutiny. During a lengthy deposition at the Manhattan office of New York’s Attorney General, Letitia James, Trump’s demeanor shifted from calm to indignant, as revealed in a video released by James’ office and reported by The Associated Press on Saturday, January 20.
The video captures Trump smirking and pouting as the attorney general introduces herself and emphasizes a commitment to a fair legal process. With folded arms, Trump dismisses James’ lawsuit as a “disgrace” and a “terrible thing,” characterizing it as a politically motivated “witch hunt.”
Throughout the deposition, Trump defends his real estate empire, portraying the lawsuit as lacking legitimacy. He mocks the case, asserting, “you don’t have a case” to James and her staff. Trump argues that the banks involved suffered no harm from inflated valuations, as they were paid in his deals and have “no complaints to this day.”
Trump’s deposition highlights his use of superlatives to describe his properties, deeming them “beautiful,” “incredible,” and “phenomenal.” He downplays the seriousness of his financial statements, describing them as a “fairly good compilation of properties” rather than an accurate representation of their value.
The former president estimates the worth of his “brand” at “maybe $10 billion” and attributes his political success to the ubiquity of his name. Despite insisting that being wealthy attracted banks, he expresses frustration that they are now “petrified” due to legal actions.
The video also reveals Trump’s defense strategy, distancing himself from the accuracy of financial statements and suggesting they should not be taken seriously. He claims that even though financial institutions sometimes requested these statements, they came with a disclaimer: “Don’t believe the statement. Go out and do your own work.”
Trump discusses his decision to put the Trump Organization into a trust during his presidency, overseen by his son and finance chief. He argues this move was voluntary to project legitimacy and avoid conflicts of interest.
The deposition reflects Trump’s shifting focus from legal intricacies to emphasizing his role as president, citing global issues like addressing the North Korea nuclear threat. The video offers a rare glimpse into a mix of legal defense, defiance, and self-promotion as the trial’s outcome looms, impacting the fate of a former president entangled in legal battles beyond the political realm.
