Former President Donald Trump is facing a high-stakes civil case in a New York courtroom that could potentially lead to the dismantling of his business empire. Trump’s son, Eric Trump, expressed his father’s eagerness to testify, stating that Trump sees this trial as an incredible injustice. The former president will be questioned under oath by a lawyer from the state Attorney General’s office, in front of Judge Arthur Engoron, whom Trump has publicly criticized on social media. The outcome of the trial, including potential penalties for Trump, his sons, and his company, will be decided by Engoron, as there is no jury involved in the case.
Trump’s previous sworn testimony related to the case has already been problematic for him. In previous depositions, he invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination numerous times. The case alleges that Trump and his company exaggerated their assets to secure more favorable rates from banks and insurers. Trump spent hours in the deposition disavowing responsibility for financial statements and claiming that his properties were undervalued. Judge Engoron has cited some of Trump’s deposition testimony in his summary judgment, holding Trump liable for fraud.
During the trial, Trump’s valuation of his Mar-a-Lago club in Florida has been a point of contention. The judge questioned the vast difference between the appraised value and Trump’s stated value, with Trump arguing that the property is worth much more, especially as a private residence. Trump has also gone off on tangents during depositions, including expressing his opposition to offshore windmills. He has already been fined $10,000 for violating a gag order by smearing the judge’s clerk on social media. This trial comes alongside four criminal cases that Trump is set to face next year.