11:41 am ET, November 6, 2023
Judge instructs Trump not to address court Catch up on key moments from the testimony so far
From CNN’s Jeremy Herb, Lauren Del Valle and Cara Scannell in New York
Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/AP
an hour In his testimonyDonald Trump’s comments on the witness stand in his civil fraud trial led to several admonitions from Judge Arthur Engoren, who repeatedly told Trump not to make speeches and not to answer questions.
Trump paid little attention to the judge’s instructions, going on and on about the values of his assets and the unfairness of the case.
Assistant Attorney General Kevin Wallace, who is investigating Trump, asked about his role in preparing a valuation of Trump’s assets through financial statements from 2014.
Trump has been quiet in his responses, but at the same time, he has given long speeches about the value of his brand and why his assets are worth more than listed in the reports.
Engron repeatedly became frustrated with Trump’s responses, cutting him off and retaliating off the record.
“We’re here to hear him answer questions, and most of the time he’s not,” Engoron said.
Trump pursed his lips and shook his head. Kiss urged the judge to hear Trump’s response, saying what he has to say goes to the heart of the case.
“The court needs to hear what he has to say about these statements,” Kiss said. “He explains to you why he doesn’t intend to mislead anyone with his answers. That’s what he does.”
“No, I’m not here to listen to him. I’m here to hear him answer questions,” Engoron replied, raising his voice and telling Trump’s lawyers to “sit down already.”
Trump followed up before the questions continued: “This is a very unfair investigation. Very, very and I hope the public is watching,” he said, leaning into the mic.
Wallace has tried to downplay Trump’s involvement in preparing his financial statements, which New York Attorney General Letitia James alleges was fraudulently used to get better loan rates — and which a judge has already ruled constituted fraud.
In response, Trump has given heated answers.
When asked about the valuation of his 40 Wall Street property in his 2014 financial statement, Trump said, “Well, let’s see.”
“You go back so long, you’re still in 2014. The five-year statute of limitations. You’re still in 2014.
40 Wallace pressed Trump to focus on Wall Street’s valuation.
40 When asked if the Wall Street estimate was based on true and accurate information, Trump replied, “I think so.”
In response to another question about his role in preparing the financial statements, Trump said: “I accepted it. Others did. But I’m not saying raise it or lower it.
