Trump faces judge in 'civil fraud' trial

Former President of the United States (US) Donald Trump appeared in court for a $250 million civil fraud trial in which the Trump Organization is accused of inflating asset values to obtain better commercial terms for bank loans and insurance transactions.

During the afternoon session of the hearing, the prosecution asked Trump questions regarding a term loan agreement made between him and Deutsche Bank in 2012. Stating that he was aware the agreement at the time required a "minimum net worth of $2.5 billion" and noting that he had approximately $300-400 million in cash at the time, Trump remarked, "Yes, I had a lot of money. That was all they cared about." Arguing that his net worth is "much higher" than what appears in the financial statements that form the basis of the lawsuit, Trump said, "So there is no case!"

HE LABELED THE CASE A "DISGRACE"

Reiterating his complaints about the case during the hearing, Trump labeled the lawsuit against him a "disgrace." "While murders are being committed on the streets of New York, the attorney general here is chasing small things," said Trump, adding that the prosecution "continues to ask the same questions over and over again." In the final part of his testimony, Trump answered questions about Allen Weisselberg, his former chief financial officer who was sentenced to prison for tax evasion due to his responsibilities at the company. Claiming that these things happened to Weisselberg because he worked for him, Trump said, "I feel very bad about this situation."

"A SAD DAY FOR AMERICA"

Leaving the courthouse after his testimony, which lasted about 4 hours, Trump stated in his exit remarks that the hearing went "very well" for him, but that it was "a very sad day for America." Stating that he came to court because the case is a "scam," Trump emphasized that his testimony was "very precise." Speaking about the Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, which is the subject of the lawsuit, Trump claimed that the value of the property is "50 to 100 times" more than the $18 million mentioned in court.

ATTORNEY GENERAL JAMES: "TRUMP RAMBLED"

Speaking outside the courthouse, Attorney General Letitia James said that Trump "rambled" and "hurled insults." "I will not be bullied or harassed. This case will continue," said James, adding, "Numbers do not lie." Stating that she looks forward to hearing Ivanka Trump's testimony on Wednesday, James added that her team then plans to conclude the case.

TENSE MOMENTS HAD OCCURRED

In a statement made before today's hearing, Trump described the case as "election interference" and accused the parties involved in the lawsuit of being "political operatives." New York Attorney General Letitia James had stated that she expected Trump to mock her and engage in racism before taking the stand, saying, "But at the end of the day, the only thing that matters are the facts and the numbers. Numbers do not lie, my friends." During the morning session of the hearing, Judge Arthur Engoron interrupted Trump while he was answering questions about his company's financial statements, warning him, "Please answer the questions related to the hearing, do not make a political speech." When Trump continued to speak in the same manner despite the warning, Judge Engoron told Trump's lawyers, "Please control your client. This is not a political rally. This is a courtroom. The questions are not only going unanswered, they are being repeated. We don't have time to waste. We have one day with this witness."

COULD FACE A $250 MILLION FINE

Trump and his family deny the accusations in the lawsuit, which alleges that they falsified official documents by inflating the value of their properties by $2 billion. It is stated that if the Trump family loses the case, they could face a fine of at least $250 million. The fate of the operations of Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, the penthouse apartment in Trump Tower in Manhattan, various office buildings, and golf courses owned by the Trump family is also expected to be determined by the outcome of the case.