Trump testifies in New York fraud trial: Ex-president rails against ‘unfair’ case as he beats Biden at the polls
Donald Trump takes the stand in New York for his dramatic testimony in the $250 million fraud case that could sink his business empire in the Big Apple.
The former president was immediately called and sworn in as a witness after condemning the “political warfare” against him that only takes place “in banana republics.”
The 77-year-old said he was put in a “very unfair situation” during the trial and discussed the New York Times poll that showed him beating Joe Biden in five key swing states.
He also emphasized that Mar-a-Lago is “worth 50 to 100 times” the $18 million value prosecutors have determined, and claimed he is being targeted by people who “hate this country.”
Trump is accused of dramatically increasing his wealth and property values by billions to save millions on bank loans and insurance.
After entering the packed courtroom, New York State’s Attorney Kevin Wallace said, “People are calling Donald J. Trump,”
Donald Trump has arrived at the New York State Supreme Court to deliver bombshell testimony in the $250 million fraud case that could sink his business empire in the Big Apple
The 77-year-old said he was placed in a “very unfair situation” during the trial and discussed the New York Times poll that showed him beating Joe Biden in five key swing states.
He walked across the front of the judge’s bench to the witness stand. He was then asked to “solemnly swear and affirm” during the testimony that he would tell the truth and replied, “I do.”
Trump then confirmed his name and said he lives in Florida before Wallace’s questioning began.
In what has become a staple of his appearance in the New York courtroom, Trump addressed the press before walking inside.
“So while Israel is under attack, while Ukraine is under attack, while inflation is eating our country alive, I am down here,” he said.
“These are all attack ads from political opponents of the Biden administration, their poll numbers are terrible.
“The New York Times came back with a poll that I’m all over the place, but it’s a very unfair situation.”
Earlier Monday, he said on Truth Social that the case is a way for President Joe Biden to “cheat” in the 2024 presidential election — and slammed both Engoron and James for “election interference.”
James said “the numbers don’t lie” when speaking about his cases just before the hearing.
She insisted she would “get” Trump during her campaign for state attorney general.
“Donald Trump has repeatedly misrepresented and inflated the value of his assets,” she said Monday morning.
“And before he takes his stand, I’m sure he will engage in name-calling, taunts and racial slurs and call this a witch hunt.
“But at the end of the day, all that matters are the facts and the numbers and numbers that my friends don’t lie.”
The 77-year-old said he was placed in a “very unfair situation” during the trial and discussed the New York Times poll that showed him beating Joe Biden in five key swing states.
Trump opts for a quiet entrance to the court, walking behind a city bus into the building in central Manhattan
He was seen carrying a bundle of legal papers as he walked towards a back entrance
The appearance could also mark the beginning of what will likely be a defining feature of the 2024 election if Trump becomes his party’s nominee: a major candidate on trial using the witness stand as a campaign platform — or at least trying to do so — as he faces a return to the White House while facing multiple criminal charges.
Trump’s appearance on Monday comes after his two eldest sons also took the stand last week.
Donald Trump Jr. testified last Wednesday and Eric Trump on Friday. Both are executive vice presidents of the Trump Organization.
Ivanka Trump, the ex-president’s eldest daughter, will take the stand on Wednesday.
Trump has repeatedly criticized Judge Engoron, calling him a “crazy” and a “Democratic operative.”
Also on his social media platform, Trump again claimed that Attorney General James is engaging in “ELECTION INTERFERENCE!” along with a video montage of her criticism of the ex-president.
He insists that her actions against him are politically motivated because she does not want him to become president again.
Trump once – unexpectedly and briefly – took the stand after being accused of violating a partial gag order. Trump denied breaking the rules, but Judge Engoron disagreed and fined him anyway.
Anti-Trump protesters demanding his removal from the ballot via the 14th Amendment gather outside the courthouse in New York
Trump gives a thumbs up as he leaves Trump Tower for a trip to downtown Manhattan
Alina Habba, a member of his legal team, followed him into the motorcade in preparation for the testimony