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President Trump spent all day in New York City on Monday, fighting back against accusations brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James that have alleged that he and his organization of inflating the value of his financial statements.
Preceding his testimony, Trump called the trial “ELECTION INTERFERENCE” on Truth Social and slammed “Crooked Joe Biden” for instigating the legal battle in the first place.
On Monday, the New York Post reported that Trump spent around three and a half hours on the stand fielding questions about his business practices and the properties that he owns. Presiding Judge Arthur Engoron reportedly lost his cool while listening to Trump’s testimony. At one point he declared, “No, I’m NOT here to hear what he [Trump] has to say.”
Engoron’s comment has drawn scrutiny among critics who see the trial as “political lawfare,” as Trump has called it.
After he finished testifying, Trump wrote on Truth Social, “Legal Scholars agree that this is a case that should have never been brought, and it wouldn’t have if I wasn’t running (and winning!) for President. MAGA!”
During his testimony, Trump resolutely defended his financial statements, noting that there was a “disclaimer clause” that protected himself and his company. He also stated that there was “no victim” in this case and cited the fact that he had paid back all loans that he had taken out.
After his testimony, Trump addressed the press outside the courtroom, stating, “This is a case that should have never been brought. It’s a case that should be dismissed immediately. The fraud is on behalf of the court. The court was the fraudster in this case.”
He added that it was a “very sad day for America.”
On Wednesday, President Trump’s daughter, Ivanka, is expected to take the stand and testify. Last week, her brothers Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., also took the stand in the case.