On Thursday morning, President Trump appeared in court for the closing arguments in Letitia James’ civil fraud case.
The radical Marxist Attorney General of New York, Letitia James, is now pursuing $370 million in “damages” in a fraud case where there are no victims. She is also aiming to prohibit Trump and his sons from conducting any business operations in New York, accusing Trump of inflating his assets and defrauding lenders and insurance companies.
Initially seeking $250 million in damages, Letitia James has now increased the amount she is pursuing. Additionally, she is pushing for a lifetime ban on Trump from the real estate industry.
In November, a Deutsche Bank executive, responsible for approving at least one of Trump’s loans, testified that it is “atypical, but not entirely unusual” to decrease a client’s asset values and still proceed with a loan.
Such lending practices are common in dealings with high net-worth and high-profile clients, a fact known to those with a fundamental understanding of banking, lending, portfolio, and credit risk management.
Trump dismissed the prosecution as “election interference at the highest level.”
Before entering the Manhattan courthouse for closing arguments, Trump said, “It’s coordination with the White House and Joe Biden.”
The defense took the lead, presenting two hours of closing arguments, followed by state attorney general officials delivering their closing arguments later in the afternoon.
Trump, accompanied by his attorneys Alina Habba and Chris Kise, stared at the judge as his legal team prepared to present closing arguments.
Originally denied the opportunity to deliver a closing statement in his own defense by Judge Engoron, President Trump took over the courtroom and tore into both the judge and Letitia James.
Trump told Engoron that he is the victim of fraud, and accusing the judge of “having his own agenda.”
The judge interrupted Trump and instructed his lawyer, Chris Kise, to “control your client.”
Excerpt from CBS News on Trump’s impromptu courtroom speech:
“Well, I think, your honor, that this case goes outside just the facts. The financial statements were perfect, the banks got back their money and are happy as can be,” Trump said.
“When you say don’t go outside of these things, we have a situation where I’m an innocent man, I’ve been persecuted by someone running for office and I think you have to go outside the bounds,” Trump said, referring to James.
He said the attorney general had misused a statute designed to target consumer fraud.
“This is a fraud on me. What’s happened here, sir, is a fraud on me,” Trump said, before adding that the state should be forced to pay him damages as punishment for pursuing the case.
Trump said he “never had a problem” before running for office and directed his ire toward the judge.
“You have your own agenda, you can’t listen for more than one minute, this has been a persecution,” he told Engoron, who interrupted and told Kise to “control your client.”
Engoron then continued: “By the way, you said you’ve never had a problem. Haven’t you been sued before?”
Trump demurred. “Your honor, look, I did nothing wrong. They should pay me for what we had to go through,” he said.
More from Fox News:
Fox Report — Trump took over Judge Engoron's NYC courtroom and unexpectedly spoke:
— Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) January 11, 2024
"He started speaking in his own defense. That he is the victim of fraud. That he should be paid damages."
Trump also went over his 1 min warning when told to wrap things up. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/4Tzl91vrc0
