Former U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed on Monday that a crime is being organized against him due to a "corrupt attorney general," stating that "the financial statements he is being prosecuted over are sound." Trump explained, before appearing in court in New York for a fraud case which could severely impact his real estate empire, that "the New York attorney general has made it her target to pursue me." He added, "I am ahead of Biden by ten points, and the trial aims to harm me."
New York Attorney General Letitia James, a member of the Democratic Party, has accused Trump of inflating the value of his assets by billions of dollars in order to secure loans and better insurance terms. The trial taking place in a Manhattan courtroom relates to these accusations by Attorney General James against Trump.
James is seeking to impose at least $250 million in fines on Trump and to institute a permanent ban on him and his sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, from managing businesses in New York, as well as a five-year ban on Trump’s business and real estate activities under his name.
Trump was dressed in a dark blue suit with a light blue tie and wore an American flag pin on his lapel. He told reporters before entering the courtroom that the case is a "fraud" and a "hoax," and a continuation of the greatest witch hunt in history. He stated, "We have a great company. I built a great company. It is tremendous... It contains some of the greatest real estate assets in the world. Now I must appear before a rogue judge."
James indicated that her office is prepared to prove its case. Trump’s attorney, Christopher Kise, in his opening statement asserted that Trump’s financial statements and those of the Trump Organization are entirely legal. Kise emphasized, “This is one of the most successful brands in the world, and he has amassed a fortune through proper procedures regarding real estate investments... There was no intent to defraud, there was no violation of the law, no negligence or breach, no reliance on banks or ill-gotten gains, and no victims.”
Trump significantly leads his competitors for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination. A court document has shown that Trump intends to attend the first week of the trial. The trial involves a handful of entities among nearly 500 in Trump’s portfolio of businesses and investments, but includes some of his highest-valued properties. The trial is expected to continue until early December, during which over 150 witnesses, including Trump himself, are slated to testify, though the majority of the trial is likely to center around a battle between financial documentation and transactional experts.
This case is one of many lawsuits and trials Trump is facing as he seeks a return to the White House next year. None of these cases have succeeded in undermining his lead over fellow Republican candidates for the party's nomination, though they have taken a financial toll on him.
