What to know about Trump's fraud trial
- A $250 million fraud lawsuit brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James against former President Donald Trump, his company and his two adult sons had its first day of trial today.
- Trump is accused of misrepresenting his net worth to the tune of billions. He said his appearances in court are "to fight for my name and reputation."
- Speaking to reporters ahead of the trial, James said that "no one is above the law" and that she was confident "justice will prevail."
- Appearing with Trump in court today were his lawyers, his son Eric and his adviser Jason Miller. One of his lawyers, Chris Kise, got into a heated exchange with Judge Arthur Engoron.
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Trump repeats 'election interference' claims after first day of trial
In brief remarks after leaving the courtroom, Trump maintained that he has done "nothing wrong" and insisted that the lawsuit was part of an effort to interfere with the 2024 election.
"Banks loved our business, they loved our deals, they weren't defrauded," Trump said. "They made a lot of money, and they considered me a very good client."
The former president also complained that his time spent at trial was keeping him off the campaign trail.
"I've been sitting in a courthouse all day long instead of being in Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina or a lot of other places I could be at," Trump said. "This is a horrible situation for our country."
"It's election interference," he added.
First day of trial concludes
The first day of the Trump civil trial has concluded.
Trump appears ruffled during former accountant's testimony
As the day draws to a close, Trump is becoming very animated while talking to his attorneys. He in particular seems to be taking great issue with some of Bender’s testimony.
At times, he appears to be very upset, with his face turning beet red. At one point, Trump turned to Cliff Robert, the attorney for his adult sons, and whisper-yelled at him, while pointing and waving his finger.
Courtroom riveted as Bender testifies about his accounting work for Trump
Donald Bender testified that when he did accounting for the Trump Organization from 2011 to 2021, he spent roughly 45% to 55% of his time on Trump-related work.
Bender said he prepared documents of Trump's assets and liabilities and that he would take information given by his client presented in a financial statement. He said that before technology improved, he would go to Trump Tower in person to obtain the necessary documents and put them in a binder. Then technology changed, he said, and they were able to get the records by email.
Even though Bender was speaking in fairly dry accounting terms, everyone in the courtroom was still fully engaged and hanging on his every word.
New York prosecutors call first witness, Donald Bender
The state has called its first witness, Donald Bender, who previously testified in the state's criminal trial against the Trump Organization, which led to the conviction of the company's former CFO Allen Weisselberg. He was released from jail earlier this year.
Bender was a partner at Mazars USA LLP who spent years preparing Trump's personal tax returns. Bender said in testimony last year at the Trump Organization criminal trial that the former president had losses totaling $900 million in 2009 and 2010.
Weisselberg had already pleaded guilty at that point and was cooperating with prosecutors. The company was ultimately found guilty and fined $1.6 million.
Trial resumes
The lunch break is over and the trial has resumed inside the courtroom.
Trump rages against judge overseeing trial and N.Y. attorney general
During the lunch break, Trump spoke in front of cameras inside the courthouse arguing that Engoron is a "rogue judge" and that James is a "corrupt person" and a "terrible person."
The former president also called Engoron a "Trump-hater," and at one point spoke about how people are "being murdered right outside in the street" and that nothing happens to those criminals.
“We’re going to be here for months with a judge that already made up his mind. It’s ridiculous,” Trump complained to reporters during the lunch break, amping up his attacks on Engoron, whose rulings in the case could cost Trump’s company hundreds of millions of dollars and impact its ability to do business in New York.
“This is a judge that should be disbarred. This is a judge that should be out of office. This is a judge that some people say could be charged criminally for what he’s doing. He’s interfering with an election, and it’s a disgrace,” Trump said.
Asked why he wanted to attend the opening of the trial today, he said he wanted to "watch this witch hunt," whose purpose, he said, is to interfere with the country's elections.
Trump also bashed special counsel Jack Smith, who has charged him with federal counts in two other unrelated cases.
Court has recessed for a lunch break
The trial has recessed for a lunch break. On his way out of the courtroom, Trump stared down James, looking down at her as he walked by and he glared angrily.
Trump lawyer argues with judge in heated exchange
Lead Trump attorney Chris Kise jumped in when Judge Engoron asked Clifford Robert, attorney for Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, at what point is something "material." Kise stood up and told Engoron that he owes it to the defendant to listen to the evidence, saying: “I don’t think you are an estimate on government accounting and they will tell you what is material and what is not.”
“I would caution you to listen, there is a lot more to this story, there are layers to this and we need to give witnesses an opportunity to take the stand and learn what this case is about,” Kise said, adding that there are experts the judge hasn’t heard from.
Kise said James opened the door to issues involving valuation, which he said is “a serious accusation to make against one of the most successful employers in this state.”
Kise argued with the judge vociferously, which grew heated as he stood over Trump, who was seated next to him. At one point, Trump shook his head very dramatically, sat up in his chair and turned toward the gallery.
Alina Habba speaks for the defense, argues there was no intent to defraud lenders
Trump lawyer Alina Habba began speaking for the defense and accused Michael Cohen of being a liar and said that the attorney general would like the court to believe that Trump and his family committed a conspiracy to defraud banks.
Habba said the attorney general's team has to prove that there is an intent to defraud lenders. She said that the lenders made money and that they were not defrauded. Habba said that this case could set a dangerous precedent for all business owners in New York state.
"There was no intent to defraud, period, the end," she said.
Trump was listening intently as Habba went back and forth with the judge.
