Staff Reports
In a civil fraud case, a judge in Manhattan had a bone to pick with former President Donald Trump. Judge Arthur Engoron got pretty angry with Trump’s defense attorneys and shouted at them to sit down. Why? Well, Trump apparently couldn’t resist the temptation to give long-winded answers rather than simply answering the questions he was being asked. Engoron warned Trump that he would draw a “negative inference” from his responses if he continued down this path.
The scolding started when Trump was being questioned about his financial statements. He claimed that he often undervalued his assets, choosing not to factor in the value of his “brand.” This was in direct contradiction to the claims made by Attorney General Letitia James, who accused Trump of grossly exaggerating his wealth over the years. Judge Engoron wasn’t having any of Trump’s “speeches” and criticized both the former president and his attorneys for not answering the questions appropriately.
Trump denounces 'very unfair trial' from witness stand after New York judge yells at him https://t.co/ulcC5KPuxm
— Harry (@harrytpk) November 6, 2023
To make matters worse, Trump’s lawyers tried to defend their client’s lengthy responses by arguing that the questions themselves were not succinct. They believed that Trump should be allowed to provide more narrative-style answers. But Judge Engoron was having none of it. He implored Trump’s attorneys to get their client under control and remind him to answer with simple “yes” or “no” responses.
This courtroom drama highlights the tension between Trump and his detractors. Trump’s off-the-cuff remark about this being an unfair trial only adds fuel to the fire. As the case continues, it’s clear that both sides are not holding back. One can only hope that justice will prevail and that the truth will come to light. But it’s hard to deny that politics and personal animosity are playing a significant role in this case.
