Donald Trump Defies Judge, Gives Closing Statement In New York Civil Case

On Thursday, leading Republican presidential candidate and 45th President Donald Trump defied New York Judge Arthur Engoron and decided to deliver his own closing statement in the case brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James (D-NY). The case concludes after weeks of testimony to determine the damages that Trump would be forced to pay in the $250 million fraud case brought against him and his businesses.

As previously reported by the DC Enquirer, Judge Engoron originally approved Trump's ability to deliver a closing statement in the case against him as long as his statement was "relevant, material facts that are in evidence and application of the relevant law to those facts." Despite his initial willingness, Engoron later rescinded that order on Wednesday.

Despite the reversal, Trump was able to give a closing statement anyway during Trump attorney Chris Kise's closing statement. According to Fox News, Kise requested that Engoron allow Trump to speak, but the judge denied that request. Trump ignored him and went on with his statement. 

"We have a situation where I'm an innocent man. They should pay me for what I've gone through. This is not consumer fraud. This is no fraud. It is a fraud on me," Trump said. "When you say don't go outside of these things, I'm an innocent man, persecuted."

Trump went on to argue that the case against him is a "persecution" of him in order to influence the upcoming presidential election. Judge Engoron then demanded that Trump wrap up his statement within a minute, leading to Trump shooting back, "You can't listen for more than one minute?"

"Mr. Kise, please control your client," Engoron said in response, adding, "Haven't you been sued before?" 

Trump said that he had been sued before, ending his closing statement by saying, "I did nothing wrong; they should pay me for what I've been put through." Following the defense's closing statement, Trump left the courtroom, refusing to hear AG Letitia James' closing argument. 

Trump also spoke to reporters outside of the courtroom, where he decried the case against him as a "witch hunt." "Witch hunt. It's election interference at the highest level. It's a disgrace," he said. "It's in coordination with the White House and Joe Biden because you can't win a campaign fairly. And we're going through it, but it's indeed a terrible witch hunt."

BREAKING.🚨

Donald Trump Addresses Judge Denying Him Closing Statement, Refusing Leave Over Death in Family

"Witch hunt. It's election interference at the highest level. It's a disgrace. It's in coordination with the White House and Joe Biden because you can't win a campaign… pic.twitter.com/juucx4zAXj

— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) January 11, 2024

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