In a fiery response on his Truth Social media platform, Donald Trump launched a barrage of criticism against Judge Arthur Engoron amid his New York civil fraud trial, as reported by Newsweek on Tuesday, December 19, 2023. The former president accused the judge of mocking a “highly respected” expert witness involved in the proceedings.
While Trump refrained from revealing the witness’s identity, it became clear that his discontent was directed at the ruling made by Engoron on Monday. The judge stated that Eli Bartov, a tenured professor, failed to deliver credible testimony, expressing his scathing assessment with the remark, “Bartov is a tenured professor, but the only thing his testimony proves is that for a million or so dollars, some experts will say whatever you want them to say.”
Eli Bartov, a research professor at the New York University Stern School of Business, had been compensated at a rate of approximately $1,350 per hour for his involvement in the case. The total remuneration for Bartov’s extensive 650 hours of work amounted to a staggering $877,500. This disclosure was part of a broader revelation that the Trump legal team disbursed $2.5 million to a total of 19 witnesses in connection to the trial.
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Trump’s dissatisfaction with Judge Engoron’s ruling was evident as he accused the judge of both mocking and excoriating the allegedly reputable expert witness. The former president, known for his confrontational approach, used his social media platform to publicly express his frustration.
The trial, focusing on civil fraud allegations, has been a focal point of legal battles for Trump. The substantial fees paid to witnesses, including Bartov, have faced scrutiny, with Engoron’s ruling indicating skepticism about the credibility of their testimonies.
The fallout from Trump’s critical remarks is likely to resonate throughout the trial, raising questions about the impact of such public confrontations on the perception of the legal system. The ongoing legal saga continues to capture public attention, offering insights into the complexities and controversies surrounding Trump’s post-presidential legal battles.
