(New York) His “show is over”: Donald Trump left his civil trial on Wednesday for fraud on the value of his real estate assets, drawing taunts from the Attorney General of the State of New York, Letitia James, who assured that she would not be intimidated by the former President of the United States.
“Mr. Trump is no longer here. The Donald Trump show is over. It was nothing other than a political stunt, a fundraising operation,” said M.me James, convinced that “justice will prevail” at the end of this trial that she triggered by filing a complaint.
PHOTO MARY ALTAFFER, ASSOCIATED PRESS
New York State Attorney General Letitia James
The former American president, favorite in the polls for the future Republican primaries, was present at all the hearings since Monday at the Manhattan courthouse, not missing an opportunity to repeat in front of journalists that Letitia James is “corrupt”, “racist », and participates in a plot fomented by the Biden camp to prevent him from returning to the White House.
But after attending the proceedings Wednesday morning, and after telling reporters that he was “stuck” at this trial and could not campaign, he did not reappear at the afternoon hearings.
Letitia James denounced his “offensive comments”, “which unfortunately fueled violence”. “Comments that I would describe as incitement to racial hatred, and which unfortunately appeal to the depths of our humanity,” she added. “I will not be intimidated,” she assured.
Recall the order
The debates, which take place before a judge of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, can take place without Donald Trump. He does not incur any criminal penalty in this case, but he is called to testify during the trial which will last weeks, just like his two children, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr, also targeted by Letitia James’ complaint. , just like the Trump Organization.
Tuesday, Judge Arthur Engoron sharply reprimanded the former president in full hearing, deploring a “degrading” publication on his Truth Social network, where he spoke of his clerk as the “fiancée of (Chuck) Schumer”, elected new -york and leader of the Democrats in the Senate.
PHOTO KENA BETANCUR, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Donald Trump’s son, Eric, is also the subject of the New York State Attorney General’s civil complaint.
After this call to order, the magistrate formally prohibited the parties from attacking his team.
“The judge already knows what he is going to do. He is a Democratic (Party) judge. In all honesty, he has no choice. It is run by the Democrats,” Donald Trump accused on Wednesday.
Even before the start of the trial, in which Letitia James is demanding $250 million in financial penalties, Judge Engoron concluded that “repeated fraud” had been established. As a result, he ordered the stripping of business licenses in New York State from Donald Trump and his two sons, as well as the forfeiture of the companies subject to the complaint to be placed in the hands of liquidators.
Donald Trump’s lawyers formally appealed this decision on Wednesday, which would result in the partial dismantling of his real estate empire.