Trump in court for closing arguments of New York real estate fraud trial

Making a brief statement to the media before entering the courtroom with his lawyers, Trump again described the case as a "witch hunt."

'WITCH HUNT' REMARK

Stating that the case filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James is "election interference at the highest level" and a "disgrace," Trump used the phrase, "This case is an unconstitutional witch hunt."

Expressing his desire to speak at today's hearing where closing arguments will be held, Trump said, "The judge is not letting me speak right now because I will bring up things he does not want to hear."

Trump had previously expressed his desire to speak at the closing session of the legal case against him, which has been ongoing since October 2, 2023, but his request was denied after he did not accept the condition set by Judge Arthur F. Engoron to "speak only about the case without political content and personal attacks."

FRAUD CASE

In the indictment where she alleges that Trump, his three children, and his company inflated their wealth by 3.6 billion dollars, New York Attorney General Letitia James is requesting that the judge prohibit Trump and his children from ever forming a company in New York again, ban them from purchasing commercial real estate for 5 years, and impose a 370 million dollar fine.

In the case filed on charges of "defrauding numerous people and institutions in the real estate sector for years," Judge Arthur Engoron had ruled that the accusations that former President Trump and his company, the "Trump Organization," defrauded banks, insurers, and business figures by overvaluing assets and exaggerating net worth in deals and financing documents should be heard in court.

In his 35-page ruling, Engoron stated that Trump, his company, and his executives consistently lied about their annual financial status to obtain favorable loan terms and lower insurance premiums.