In a New York courtroom, the civil fraud trial involving former President Donald Trump and his adult sons, Donny and Eric, is reaching its final moments. The trial, conducted by the New York Attorney General's office, accuses the Trump family and their company of defrauding banks and insurance companies by misrepresenting the value of their assets. The Attorney General is seeking a $370 million fine and a ban on Trump from conducting business in New York State. It is important to note that the judge has already found Trump liable on one count in the case.
Throughout the trial, Trump has vehemently rejected all claims of fraud and alleged, without evidence, that he is being prosecuted due to his political ambitions. During the closing arguments, Trump delivered a five-minute monologue, prompting the judge to reprimand his lawyers for not controlling their client. Trump continued his grievances outside the courtroom, suggesting that his legal troubles are orchestrated by President Joe Biden, and claimed that these challenges have actually boosted his popularity.
Trump's lawyers presented their closing arguments, taking over two hours to summarize their defense. They emphasized that the case is politically motivated and argued that the Trump Organization's relationships with banks benefited both parties. However, the Attorney General's office pointed out that the Trump team failed to address the false financial statements at the core of the case, which were allegedly off by billions of dollars.
The outcome of the trial has significant implications for Trump's business empire. The Attorney General is seeking a substantial financial judgment, potentially up to $370 million, and the suspension of Trump's business certificate, a move that would hinder his ability to conduct business not only in New York but potentially anywhere else.
Trump's personal and emotional investment in this trial is clear. He has utilized the proceedings as a platform to make political arguments, often turning them into campaign appearances. By doing so, he aims to rally his followers and leverage his stance as a victim to fuel his fundraising efforts.
While Trump questioned the lack of a jury trial during his press conference, it was revealed that he did not request one. He also inaccurately claimed to have already won at the Court of Appeals, when in fact, he had only secured a partial victory on certain claims. Additionally, Trump suggested that his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, had retracted his testimony, which was misleading as Cohen maintained his original statements regarding Trump's instructions.
Ultimately, the judge's ruling will determine the future of Trump's business endeavors. The trial has showcased Trump's legal strategies, characterized by resistance and attempts to exhaust opponents. The effectiveness of this approach remains to be seen, but it appears to be resonating with his loyal base of Republican primary voters, as evident from rising poll numbers.
