Washington: When Donald Trump took the historic step of appearing on the witness stand in a Manhattan courtroom to testify in his own civil fraud trial, the juxtaposition was undeniable.
Here was a former president and the Republican frontrunner for next year’s election, accused of massively inflating his net worth for financial gain in a case that strikes at the heart of his political identity.
In this courtroom sketch, former US president Donald Trump answers questions from New York assistant attorney general Kevin Wallace in New York Supreme Court.Credit: AP
This was not the first time Trump appeared in court, but for the 77-year-old, who has spent decades building an eponymous real estate empire, it was certainly the most personal.
After all, Trump has cultivated an image as a rich tycoon, a master of the “art of the deal”, owner of a string of high-end properties such as his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, Trump Tower in Manhattan, or Seven Springs Estate in northern New York.
But in court, he was a combative witness at risk of jeopardising two of the things he values most: money and power.
Boiled down, Trump’s ability to continue to do business in the state of New York is on the line and so, too, is his reputation.
State Attorney-General Letitia James is suing Trump for $US250 million ($392 million) in fines, and also wants a permanent ban on him and his sons running businesses in New York, plus a five-year commercial real estate ban for Trump and the Trump Organisation.
It’s important to note that the judge overseeing this case, Arthur Engoron, has already found Trump liable of fraud in a pre-trial ruling and has temporarily stripped his control over some of his signature New York properties.
On witness stand, Trump’s temper risks what he most desires
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07.11.2023
Washington: When Donald Trump took the historic step of appearing on the witness stand in a Manhattan courtroom to testify in his own civil fraud trial, the juxtaposition was undeniable.
Here was a former president and the Republican frontrunner for next year’s election, accused of massively inflating his net worth for financial gain in a case that strikes at the heart of his political identity.
In this courtroom sketch,........
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