The latest from the N.Y. civil fraud ruling and Georgia election interference case
- Former President Donald Trump and the Trump Organization were ordered to pay over $350 million in damages after Judge Arthur Engoron found that Trump and his executives had repeatedly engaged in fraud.
- Trump confirmed in remarks from Mar-a-Lago tonight that he plans to appeal the judge's ruling. New York Attorney General Letitia James celebrated the ruling as "a massive victory for Americans who believe in the rule of law."
- In Georgia, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis did not take the stand today at a hearing on allegations that she had an improper relationship with her lead prosecutor in the state's election interference case against Trump and his co-defendants.
- Willis' office called several witnesses today, including her father, in its effort to dispute allegations that she personally benefitted from the relationship with Wade. She denies the relationship was improper.
- The misconduct allegations against Willis center on who paid for trips she took with the lead prosecutor, Nathan Wade, and could lead to her removal from the case.
- The defendants' lawyers hit back, with an attorney for Trump saying today that Wade "testified falsely” yesterday when he said the relationship did not begin until 2022.
Michael Cohen, former personal attorney for Donald Trump, joins Alicia Menendez in for Nicolle Wallace on MSNBC’s "Deadline: White House" to discuss how damaging Judge Engoron’s ruling is to Trump.
N.Y. civil fraud ruling: Letitia James celebrates order as a 'massive victory'
James celebrated Engoron's order as "a massive victory for Americans who believe in that simple but fundamental pillar of our democracy: that the rule of law applies to all of us equally, fairly, and justly."
"The scope of Donald Trump's fraud is staggering, and so too is his ego and his belief that the rules do not apply to him," she said. "Today, we are holding Donald Trump accountable."
The New York attorney general said her office was "holding Donald Trump accountable for lying, cheating, and a lack of contrition" after Engoron ordered the former president to pay $355 million in damages in the civil fraud cause brought by James.
N.Y. civil fraud ruling: Trump confirms he'll appeal Engoron's ruling
Trump said in remarks at Mar-a-Lago tonight that he planned to appeal Engoron's order.
"A crooked New York state judge just ruled that I have to pay a fine of $355 million for having built a perfect company," Trump said before declaring that he would appeal.
Trump also suggested that the ruling was further evidence of "election interference" and a "witch hunt," blaming Biden for his legal woes. He said the case was brought by a "horribly corrupt attorney general" and said Engoron, who ordered him to pay $355 million in damages, was a "corrupt judge" and "not a respected man."
N.Y. civil fraud ruling: Trump ordered to pay nearly $99M in interest
With pre-judgment interest, the judgment against Trump, his sons, business associates and company totals over $453 million.
Trump's portion alone consists of the more than $354 million in damages, plus $98.6 million in interest for a total of $453.5 million. That sum will continue to grow until he pays.
Georgia hearing: What comes next?
Immediately following two days of testimony, McAfee asked to meet in private with Bradley and his lawyer to discuss attorney/client privilege as it pertains to the hearing.
Beyond that, McAfee said he would follow up with lawyers representing Trump and his co-defendants and lawyers representing Willis to schedule another court date.
McAfee, who has not yet ruled on the allegations against Willis and Wade, said it looked like that date would be late next week or the following week.
N.Y. civil fraud ruling: Trump fundraises off of judge's order
In a fundraising text blast this afternoon, Trump solicited financial contributions following Judge Arthur Engoron's ruling.
"Breaking from Trump: Democrat New York judge just ruled against me! Election interference!" the text message says in all caps.
The message linked to a fundraising page sponsored by Trump Save America Joint Fundraising Committee, which includes Donald J. Trump for President 2024 Inc. and Save America.
N.Y. civil fraud ruling: State A.G. calls ruling a 'tremendous victory'
"Justice has been served," New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement today after Judge Arthur Engoron's ruling.
“For years, Donald Trump engaged in massive fraud to falsely inflate his net worth and unjustly enrich himself, his family, and his organization," James said.
She added, "while he may have authored the ‘Art of the Deal,’ our case revealed that his business was based on the art of the steal."
James also lauded the ruling for "finally" making Trump face "accountability for his lying, cheating and staggering fraud."
"No matter how big, rich, or powerful you think you are, no one is above the law,” she said.
N.Y. civil fraud ruling: Trump calls decision 'unAmerican'
In a series of posts on Truth Social following Judge Arthur Engoron's ruling, Trump called the decision, "illegal [and] unAmerican," claiming that New York's justice system is "under assault by partisan, deluded, biased Judges and Prosecutors."
Trump also attacked New York Attorney General Letitia James as "racist" and "corrupt," while calling Engoron, "crooked."
Georgia hearing: Court adjourns for the day
The court has adjourned in the hearing focused on allegations that could disqualify Willis from prosecuting Trump.
McAfee asked Bradley and his attorney, Bimal Chopra, to meet him in the jury room.
Georgia hearing: Evidence closed, no more state witnesses today
The state sought to call Ana Rodriguez, a former client of Bradley and Wade's law firm, to testify.
Cross, the lawyer for the district attorney's office, said Rodriguez' testimony would pertain to Bradley regarding the sexual assault allegations against him.
She will no longer be called to testify, and Judge McAfee announced that evidence would now be closed.
