The 2024 Republican presidential front-runner is accused of fraudulently inflating his property values to get better terms on loans and insurance. He is the last person charged in the case to testify. His daughter, Ivanka Trump, who is expected to testify Wednesday, is not a party in the case.
Wearing a dark blue suit and a bright blue tie, Trump was sworn in before a packed courtroom of journalists and members of the public. Court officers paced the aisles ensuring the prohibition against photos and videos was being followed.
Trump gave long, rambling answers, calling prosecutors who have charged him with crimes “Democrats” and “Trump haters.” He called the current trial “crazy” and said, “I’m sure the judge will rule against me, because he always rules against me.”
Within 15 minutes of questioning, Justice Arthur Engoron was asking Trump to limit his answers to what was asked and referred to Trump’s answers at one point as an “essay.”
He interjected repeatedly before turning to Trump’s attorney Christopher Kise.
“Mr. Kise, can you control your client? This is not a political rally. This is a courtroom,” Engoron said. “Maybe you should have a talk with him right now.”
Kise asked to speak with Trump privately rather than in front of everyone. Engoron said he wasn’t going to let them waste time.
“I think the former and soon-to-be chief executive understands the rules,” Kise said.
“He doesn’t abide by them,” Engoron said.
After 30 minutes, Engoron was losing his patience.
“I beseech you to control him if you can. If you can’t, I will,” Engoron said.
At one point, two of Trump’s lawyers stood up and spoke over each other as they disagreed with the judge about how long his answers could be. Engoron ordered them to sit down.
“This is a very, very unfair trial, very and I hope the public is watching,” Trump said.
Though Trump faces multiple trials, the public is expected to have few chances to see the former president testify. Engoron briefly allowed photographers to enter the courtroom to take photos of Trump at the defense table before he was called to testify.
Trump faces two federal criminal cases that are not expected to be televised. One in Washington, D.C., which is scheduled to begin in March, stems from his efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election. The other in Florida, which is scheduled for late May, is connected to his retention of sensitive national security documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate after leaving the White House.
The former president also faces state-level criminal charges in New York and Georgia. Proceedings in the Georgia case are being streamed live on YouTube. A trial could occur as soon as this summer and would likely be televised. Criminal court proceedings in New York are not open to cameras.