Former President Donald Trump has opted not to testify for a second time in his civil fraud trial in New York, asserting that he has “nothing more to say.” Trump, the leading contender for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, cited his previous testimony last month as comprehensive and successful.
In a statement on his Truth Social platform on Sunday, Trump emphasized, “I have already testified to everything & have nothing more to say.”
Originally expected to appear on Monday, Trump’s decision comes in the midst of a case that alleges he, along with family members and employees, inflated the value of real estate assets to secure more favorable bank loans and insurance terms.
Trump’s lawyer, Christopher Kise, expressed dissatisfaction, citing an “unconstitutional gag order” imposed by the judge and claiming that the judge appeared to have ignored Trump’s testimony and that of others involved in the complex financial transactions under scrutiny in the case.
Letitia James, the Attorney General of New York, who initiated the lawsuit, asserted that her office has successfully demonstrated that Donald Trump “committed years of financial fraud and unjustly enriched himself and his family.” James emphasized that despite Trump’s attempts to divert attention, the facts remain steadfast.
In a spirited and confrontational session on November 6, Trump engaged in a heated exchange with prosecutors for over three and a half hours.
During this defiant appearance, he vigorously defended his wealth and vehemently denied any wrongdoing.
Judge Arthur Engoron has already made a decisive ruling, affirming that Letitia James’s office presented “conclusive evidence” indicating that Donald Trump exaggerated his net worth by a range of $812 million to $2.2 billion. As a result, the judge ordered the liquidation of several companies managing the assets under scrutiny.
Trump, who has publicly criticized Engoron as “hostile” and a “political hack,” faced consequences in October when the judge imposed $15,000 in fines. This penalty was in response to Trump’s violation of a partial gag order related to disparaging remarks made about the judge’s law clerk.
Trump continues to characterize the legal proceedings as a partisan “witch hunt,” emphasizing that they do not pose the risk of criminal penalties such as imprisonment.
The trial, set to continue without Trump’s testimony, is anticipated to conclude in January.
