Despite being denied the opportunity to deliver a formal closing argument, Donald Trump took the chance to voice his thoughts in court at the end of his civil fraud trial in New York on Thursday. He launched into a six-minute tirade of criticism before the judge intervened.
The judge, Arthur Engoron, was trying to ascertain if Trump would adhere to the rules that required him to limit his comments to trial-related matters. When asked if he would follow these guidelines, Trump disregarded the judge’s inquiry and began his speech.
Earlier, Judge Engoron had refused Trump’s unusual request to present his own closing statement. However, he allowed Trump to continue almost without interruption for a brief personal summary before interrupting him for a scheduled lunch break.
Trump’s remarks in court, which were not broadcast, marked a dramatic end to a trial centered around accusations that he consistently inflated his wealth in financial statements provided to banks, insurers, and others.
In 2022, New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, filed a lawsuit against Trump under a state law that empowers her to probe persistent allegations of business fraud. She is seeking $370 million in penalties from the judge and a ban on Trump conducting business in New York.
The day’s proceedings were further strained by a bomb threat at Judge Engoron’s suburban New York City home earlier in the day. Despite the scare, the court proceedings commenced as scheduled.
Throughout the trial, Trump, who is a leading candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, has repeatedly criticized Judge Engoron, even accusing him of collaborating with James in a social media post on Wednesday night.
On Wednesday, Judge Engoron turned down an unconventional proposal by Trump to deliver his own closing remarks in court, in addition to those from his legal team. The main issue was that Trump’s lawyers would not agree to the judge’s condition that he stick to “relevant” matters and refrain from introducing new evidence or making a campaign speech.
After Trump’s lawyers, including Christopher Kise, had presented their traditional closing arguments on Thursday, Kise asked the judge if Trump could speak. When Judge Engoron asked Trump if he would follow the guidelines, Trump began his speech.
Trump said, “This is a fraud on me. What’s happened here, sir, is a fraud on me.” He later accused the judge of not paying attention to him, saying, “I know this is boring to you.”
Judge Engoron cautioned Kise to “control your client,” then informed Trump he had one minute left to speak. After allowing Trump to continue for a bit longer, the judge adjourned the court.
(AP)