Jimmy Kimmel roasts Eric Trump for claiming he is ‘a construction guy’
Eric Trump‘s testimony has concluded at Donald Trump’s $250m civil fraud trial in New York brought by state attorney general Letitia James.
The Trump Organization is accused of inflating asset values to fraudulently obtain better financing terms from banks. The outcome of this trial could topple the company.
On the stand, Eric struggled to line up his responses with documentary evidence relating to the financial statements at the heart of the case.
An ongoing heated exchange also developed between his lawyers and Judge Arthur Engoron over accusations of bias from the court clerk.
Donald Trump Jr testified earlier in the week and was evasive, shifting any blame onto accountants and lawyers hired by the firm — something echoed by his brother on Friday.
Their sister, Ivanka Trump lost an appeal to postpone her testimony arguing she would face “undue hardship” as it was scheduled “in the middle of a school week”. She will appear on Wednesday.
However, next up on the stand on Monday morning is Donald Trump himself in what is expected to be unmissable — and likely highly confrontational — testimony.
Alex Woodward will report from on the ground at the courthouse in New York
Why is the testimony of Don Jr, Eric and Ivanka important to the Trump civil fraud trial?
The main focus on Donald Trump’s myriad of legal woes shifted to Lower Manhattan in October as his civil fraud case came to trial at New York state’s Supreme Court.
New York Attorney General Letitia James brought the case against the Trump Organization and maintains that between 2011 and 2021 the company falsified financial statements regarding the development of several real estate projects and artificially inflated Mr Trump’s net worth in order to get better financing terms from banks and insurance companies.
This was done by over-stating valuations of the former president’s most prestigious holdings including his triplex penthouse at Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan and his current home at the Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach, Florida.
As the prosecution’s case draws to a close, three of his adult children are taking the stand to testify under oath, which begs the question: how are they wrapped up in all this and why is their testimony important at the trial?
Oliver O’Connell3 November 2023 17:20
Oliver O’Connell3 November 2023 17:05
What does Melania Trump think of case against her husband?
Melania Trump hasn’t spoken publicly about the case, but the former president has told reporters at the courthouse what he thinks she feels about the trial…
Oliver O’Connell3 November 2023 16:50
ICYMI: Yesterday in court at the Trump civil fraud trial
Judge Arthur Engoron snapped at Trump attorney Christopher Kise, who mentioned the judge’s chief clerk, the subject of disparaging comments from Mr Trump that prompted a gag order he subsequently violated twice.
“Do not refer to my staff again,” the judge said. “If there’s any further reference to anyone on my staff … I will include a standing gag order to include [attorneys].”
Judge Engoron suggested that there’s a “bit of misogyny” that fuels the comments against his female clerk, which Mr Trump’s attorneys flatly denied.
Oliver O’Connell3 November 2023 16:35
NY fraud trial: 3 November in courtroom sketches
Donald Trump’s son and co-defendant, Eric Trump, is questioned by state lawyer Andrew Amer as he testifies during the Trump Organization civil fraud trial
(REUTERS)
While Eric Trump’s testimony was the focus, the ongoing confrontation between Judge Arthur Engoron and defence counsel Christopher Kise provided the most contentious moments of the day
(REUTERS)
Oliver O’Connell3 November 2023 16:22
NY fraud trial: Eric Trump testimony concludes
With no cross-examination of the witness by defence counsel, Eric Trump’s testimony concludes and the court adjourns for the weekend.
That’s two Trumps down, two more to testify with the next being former president Donald Trump himself on Monday morning — brace yourselves.
Ivanka Trump will testify on Wednesday having lost her appeal that it’s really inconvenient being in the middle of the school week.
Oliver O’Connell3 November 2023 15:50
Before the court takes its mid-morning break there is another confrontation between defence counsel Kise and Judge Engoron.
The judge warned there were to be no more remarks about his clerk, even to create a court record.
“If you want to appeal, or move to recuse, you have plenty of ammunition,” Judge Engoron says but also notes that he has every right to receive notes from his staff.
“If you want to make a motion at this point, go ahead and do it … You’ve made speeches. You’ve made observations … What more of a record do you want?”
Kise again complains about having “two adversaries” in this trial.
New York Attorney General’s counsel Kevin Wallace slams the “sideshow “of the clerk passing notes to the judge as being “designed to interrupt our ability to put an end to this.”
“If there’s something improper between a judge and a clerk passing notes, you should make your motion now,” he says.
Judge Engoron says he will issue a written decision on the matter later today.
In a moment of heavy sarcasm, Kise responds loudly to NYAG counsel Andrew Amer’s request to the judge about establishing a record about an unrelated issue: “Wow, a record! There needs to be a record! That’s interesting.”
Oliver O’Connell3 November 2023 15:42
Eric Trump is shown former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg’s severance agreement put together after his guilty plea on 15 criminal charges including grand larceny, criminal tax fraud and falsifying business records.
Eric agrees that the language of the non-disparagement clause would include a bar on Weisselberg from speaking ill of him, his brother and their father.
Asked if he participated in the decision to create the agreement for Weisselberg, Eric responds affirmatively.
“Did your father direct you to enter into his agreement with Mr. Weisselberg?” Amer asks.
“No he did not,” Eric says. “I did this agreement with Mr. Weisselberg.”
Oliver O’Connell3 November 2023 15:25
NY fraud trial: Eric Trump confronted with loan documents he signed
The prosecution shows the court documentation of Deutsche Bank loans for the Doral golf course in Miami, the Trump International Hotel and Condominiums in Chicago, and the Trump International Hotel in Washington, DC, all of which were signed by Eric Trump attesting to Donald Trump’s financials.
“You did intend for this to be an accurate representation,” Amer asks.
“I wouldn’t sign something if it wasn’t accurate, so yes,” Eric says.
“We just looked at three certifications you signed [attesting to Trump’s wealth]. What if anything did you do to ascertain that the 2021 statements of financial condition [were accurate]?” he asks.
“I relied on the accounting office, I relied on one of the biggest accounting firms in the country. I relied on a great legal team…and when they gave me comfort [I signed the certification], Eric says.
This is similar to his brother’s responses to questioning — that they relied on accountants and lawyers to provide them with accurate numbers.
In earlier testimony and in his taped deposition Eric has sought to minimise his involvement in the finances of the company claiming to have no involvement in the Statements of Financial Condition at the heart of the case (despite emails showing his contribution to asset valuations) and went as far as saying: “I pour concrete. I operate properties. I don’t focus on appraisals between a law firm and Cushman. This is just not what I do in my day-to-day responsibilities.”
Oliver O’Connell3 November 2023 15:20
In pictures: Eric Trump’s testimony resumes
Eric Trump (2L) sits in the courtroom alongside his attorneys (L-R) Alina Habba, Clifford Robert, and Christopher Kise
(Getty Images)
New York Attorney General Letitia James sits in the courtroom during the civil fraud trial of former President Donald Trump on 3 November 2023
(Getty Images)
Justice Arthur Engoron presides over former President Donald Trump’s civil fraud trial
(Getty Images)
This is the second day of testimony for Eric Trump
(Getty Images)
Oliver O’Connell3 November 2023 14:59
Emily Foster is a globe-trotting journalist based in the UK. Her articles offer readers a global perspective on international events, exploring complex geopolitical issues and providing a nuanced view of the world’s most pressing challenges.
