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I’m Sure You Will Rule Against Me – US Ex-President, Trump Tells Judge During Testimony At Civil Fraud Trial

FILE
November 6, 2023

Photo Credit: Jabin Botsford/EPA

Former President, Donald Trump, on Monday was in a clash with the trial judge, Arthur Engoron, in his civil fraud case in New York.

"I'm sure the judge will rule against me, because he always rules against me," Trump was quoted by Daily CBSNews as saying.

Engoron's patience went thin as Trump frequently offered long-winded replies to questions concerning the valuations of various Trump Organisation assets.

One of Trump's lawyers, Christopher Kise, persuaded Engoron to let Trump deliver answers his way.

"With this witness, it's far more efficient to listen and take it all in," the lawyer said.

The judge's voice swelled as his rage seemed to erupt, and his microphone strained to cope with the sudden level adjustment.

"No, I'm not here to hear what he has to say," Engoron said, his voice rising. "I'm here to hear him answer questions. Sit down."

Engoron said he was considering drawing negative conclusions from Trump's testimony.

"We got another speech. I beseech you to control you if I can. If you can't, I will. I will excuse him and draw every negative inference that I can," Engoron said.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that Donald Trump was set to testify during the trial.

New York, Attorney-General Letitia James has accused the Trump Organisation of inflating the value of its assets by billions of dollars to obtain more favourable bank loans and insurance terms.

Despite his tendencies in public, Trump on the stand was predicted likely to adopt a conservative line of defence similar to his sons last week – that accountants were the ones ultimately responsible for verifying the accuracy of the company's financial statements.

He earlier gave testimony twice in connection with the case, both times behind closed doors.