Former President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he will not be testifying at his civil fraud trial in New York. Trump had been scheduled to testify on Monday as one of the final defense witnesses in a trial that has been ongoing for two months. However, Trump reversed his decision after an accounting expert testified that the case against him had no merit and that there was no evidence of fraud in his financial statements.
In a post on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump stated, “As everyone knows, I have very successfully & conclusively testified in the corrupt, Biden directed, New York state attorney general’s rigged trial against me. World renowned experts, highly respected bank & insurance executives, real estate professionals, as well as others, both honest & credible, have stated, clearly & unequivocally, that I, and my very successful company, did nothing wrong!”
The trial, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, seeks $250 million in damages and aims to bar Trump from conducting business in the state. The attorney general’s complaint accuses Trump, his sons, and his company of fraudulently inflating property values to obtain more favorable loan and insurance rates.
Trump defended himself against these allegations, claiming that the values of his properties were intentionally underestimated by the attorney general’s office. He also emphasized that he has paid nearly $300 million in taxes to New York City and state during the years in question.
The former president expressed frustration with the judge overseeing the case, accusing them of bias and refusing to accept an appellate division order that favored him. Trump referred to the trial as a “complete and total election interference (Biden campaign!) witch hunt” and stated that it would discourage businesses from operating in New York.
Despite Trump’s decision not to testify on Monday, the trial will continue as scheduled. The accounting expert, Eli Bartov, will resume his testimony on Tuesday, and the attorney general’s office will have a day for rebuttals. Both sides will then have until January 5 to file briefs, and closing arguments will take place on January 11.
The outcome of this trial will have significant implications for Trump and his business operations in New York. It remains to be seen how the court will rule and whether the allegations of fraud will be substantiated.
Overall, this development in the civil fraud trial against former President Trump highlights the ongoing legal battles he faces and the contentious nature of the proceedings. The trial has drawn attention from supporters and critics alike, further fueling the political divide in the United States.
