After enduring over three months of contentious debates, courtroom theatrics, hallway discussions, and numerous objections, the civil fraud trial involving former President Donald Trump is drawing to a close in a New York courtroom on Thursday.
Trump, present for the proceedings that commenced shortly after 10 a.m., sought permission to deliver his closing arguments, a request denied by Judge Arthur Engoron on Wednesday. The judge’s rejection stemmed from Trump’s unwillingness to adhere to the specified criteria, limiting his statements to “relevant, material facts that are in evidence, and application of the relevant law to those facts.”
Expressing his desire to address the court, Trump conveyed to reporters outside the courtroom that he aimed to “reveal all the defects in this case” and lamented the judge’s reluctance, stating, “At this moment, the judge is not letting me make the summation because I’ll bring up things that he doesn’t want to hear.”
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The closing arguments represent the final opportunity for Trump and his co-defendants’ legal teams to mitigate the repercussions of the case. New York Attorney General Letitia James is pursuing $370 million for the state and a permanent ban on Trump from engaging in New York real estate, among other sanctions.
In the courtroom, Trump’s attorneys presented their closing arguments first, followed by the state’s legal team in the afternoon. Each side was allotted up to 2 hours and 15 minutes to present their case.
Judge Engoron clarified that he wouldn’t issue an immediate ruling, intending to take several weeks to decide on the outstanding issues in the case.
Christopher Kise, an attorney representing Trump, argued that the state failed to counter the defense’s expert testimonies and cast doubt on a key witness for the state. Kise emphasized the importance of considering unrebutted testimony, a point contested by Judge Engoron.
Trump, visibly engaged during the proceedings, paid close attention to discussions on estimates of his net worth and the testimony of his former attorney, Michael Cohen. Kise focused on discrediting Cohen, labeling him a “serial liar” and highlighting his role as the state’s sole witness on the defendants’ intent.
Alina Habba, another attorney for Trump, blamed accountants working for Trump and the company, arguing that they relied on an outside firm for protection.
Kise concluded by scrutinizing a list of Trump properties, asserting that the state failed to prove any “ill-gotten gains” from fraud. He warned of adverse consequences for New York businesses if Trump loses, urging the judge to consider the case’s precedent.
The trial, initiated on October 2, delved into intricate accounting details amidst days of dry testimony punctuated by courtroom outbursts. Trump faced fines for violating a gag order, and the trial featured confrontations and dramatic moments. The case, characterized by accusations of a long-running scheme to use inflated valuations, has been a focal point of Trump’s political narrative, with the former president branding it as political retribution by Democrats.
