During the closing arguments of his New York civil fraud trial, former President Donald Trump asserted his innocence, telling Judge Arthur Engoron, “I’m an innocent man.” Trump’s attorney, Chris Kise, had requested permission for Trump to speak, emphasizing the significant impact of the case on him. The lawsuit, filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James, alleges fraud in Trump’s financial statements over a decade and could result in penalties of up to $370 million and affect his New York real estate holdings.
Trump criticized the lawsuit as “not consumer fraud” but rather “a fraud on me,” while also making disparaging remarks about James and Judge Engoron. He suggested James harbored a personal animosity towards him and labelled the case a “persecution.” His comments prompted Engoron to instruct Kise to control his client.
Trump’s legal team argued that the financial statements in question, prepared by Trump’s accountants, did not contain fraudulent misrepresentations and highlighted that banks offered him favorable rates knowing his reputation. They criticized the credibility of former personal lawyer Michael Cohen, who testified against Trump, and defended the roles of other Trump Organization executives in preparing the financial statements.
The lawsuit seeks a lifetime ban on Trump and two of his top executives from New York’s real estate industry and a five-year ban on his sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. The trial began on October 2, and Judge Engoron is expected to deliver a verdict by the end of the month. The case is one of several legal challenges Trump faces, including potential criminal trials and a defamation suit. Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, framing the case as “election interference at the highest level.” Outside the courtroom, protesters showed support for Attorney General James, while a bomb threat at Engoron’s home caused a delay in proceedings.
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