Trump civil fraud trial live updates: closing argument | Latest news from NYC
Trump civil fraud trial: live updates
$370 million NY lawsuit against Trump | headlines
- Trump holds press conference after defense closing arguments
- Judge found Trump and co-defendants guilty of fraud prior to trial beginning
- AG Letitia James increased the fine sought from $250m to $370m after testimony was heard in case
- Trump not allowed to give closing statements after failing to agree to conditions set by judge
- Judge Arthur Engoron received a bomb threat last night
Trump comments gets fact checked
If you have a couple of spare minutes and care about things like facts and the truth, listen to the following summary that highlights where Donald Trump may have made some errors with his claims.
Trump blames "crooked Joe Biden" for all cases
The theme of 'witchhunt' is an easy one to sell to his followers, but Democrats will argue that the rule of law will be the final judge.
"My legal issues, every one of them, every one - civil and the criminal ones - are all set up by Joe Biden. Crooked Joe Biden," Trump claims.
"This is something that has never happened in this country."
Trump takes questions
As promised, Donald Trump wanted to ensure he could say more. Have some salt at hand...
"Your honor, look, I did nothing wrong. They should pay me."
"Please control your client."
"We have been here for 44 days. I have been here for three years, not 44 days."
That's how Trump's long-term attorney began her closing arguments before going on a rather sarcastically toned summation. She ended with: "We’re human beings. He [Trump] did his best."
Find out more about Alina Habba from this piece by Greg Heilman
Trump's lead attorney Chris Kise closing arguments
Donald Trump's lead attorney, Christopher Kise, argued in court that the case against Trump is politically motivated and aims to harm his New York real estate business. Kise, also representing Trump in a Florida case, stated that no trial witnesses accused Trump of fraud.
Kise warned of the dangerous precedent this could set for business in New York. He highlighted a lack of witness allegations of fraud, criticised Trump's former fixer Michael Cohen as unreliable, and argued that Trump was a valued client for institutions like Deutsche Bank, countering claims that Trump's financial statements influenced their decisions.
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As you can imagine, there's going to be a lot of noise surrounding the GOP frontrunner this year especially given the amount of trouble he's in. One question being asked that has raised a few eyebrows is over the reported 20 foreign governments that made payments to Donald Trump's companies during his presidency.
Corina and Oliver scanned the relevant documents to bring you what they know on this.
Biden goes on the Trump offensive
"[Trump] says he doesn’t want to be Hoover. Here's the thing: He already is. He’s the first president since Hoover to lose jobs while in office. Some record."
President Biden knows full well that Donald Trump is dealing with his court case today so this message about him wanting the US economy to crash is timed for a reason. Just let that sink in: Trump says he wants US citizens to be financially hurt this year so that it looks bad on Biden. That's not patriotic.
Trump's post-court reply in full
Kyle Becker has transcribed the complete response from Donald Trump as he came out. It's as tempered as you could have imagined from him with the usual hyperbole. Here are some highlights:
"Witch hunt. It's election interference at the highest level. It's a disgrace."
"So it's interference, it's political interference, and it's something that shouldn't be allowed."
"We have a level of detail in our defense that nobody's ever had."
"We'll see whether or not the judge allows me to speak. Perhaps he won't, but I certainly would like to."
If he didn't have such an evidenced history of telling untruths, we could maybe put more significance in his words. A full news conference may await us later this evening.
Throughout this trial, we revealed the full scale and scope of that fraud. I am proud of the case we presented, and I am confident that the facts and the rule of law are on our side.
Bomb threat against judge in Trump civil trial
On Wednesday night, Judge Arthur Engoron received a bomb threat. This is just another instance of people invloved in prosecuting or overseeing the legal challenges facing Trump receiving threats or being swatted.
Trump derides not being able to give closing statements
Judge Arthur Engoron said on Wednesday that Trump would not be allowed to give closing statements in the civil lawsuit trial. Although he had been open to the former president speaking in the final arguments, Trump failed to agree to the conditions set by Engoron.
Hello and welcome to AS USA live feed on Trump fraud lawsuit trial
Judge Arthur Engoron is hearing closing arguments in the civil lawsuit against Donald Trump, his New York companies and co-defendants. The judge found Trump and co-defendants guilty of fraud prior to trial beginning based on evidence presented by New York State.
Attorney General Letitia James increased the fine sought from $250m to $370m after testimony in case was heard. Although the judge was open to Trump giving closing statements but will not be allowed to after failing to agree to conditions set.