By Aaron Miller-
Former President Donald Trump’s eldest son, Donald Trump Jr.(PICTURED) made a return to the witness stand on Monday, marking the beginning of the defense’s case in the $250 million civil fraud trial that poses substantial threats to the Trump family’s real estate empire.
Addressing the court with a touch of humor, Trump Jr. remarked, “You thought you were rid of me, your honor.”
His testimony comes as part of the defense strategy in response to allegations by the New York Attorney General Letitia James’ office, which asserts a yearslong scheme of exaggerating the Trump Organization’s business assets.
Describing the Trump Organization as “an international organization” that’s “run like a mom and pop,” Trump Jr. offered an overview of the family company.
His appearance as the first witness for the defense signals a crucial phase in the trial, with his younger brother Eric Trump and their father, Donald Trump, expected to follow suit as the defense presents its case.
The defense’s decision to present the Trump family members as witnesses allows their attorneys greater control over questioning, minimizing cross-examination by the prosecution. This strategic move enables the defense to shape the narrative of their testimony.
Prosecutors rested their case last week, reserving the right to recall Allen Weisselberg, the Trump Organization’s former chief financial officer, who pleaded guilty to tax fraud charges in 2021. The charges were part of an investigation led by the Manhattan district attorney’s office. The Trump Organization was convicted at trial in connection with these charges.
Donald Trump Jr.’s return to the witness stand follows his initial testimony earlier this month, during which he addressed questions about his role in the Trump Organization and the alleged inflation of financial statements.
The defense aims to counter the accusations that the Trumps inflated the company’s net worth by billions of dollars.
The trial has witnessed testimonies from former President Donald Trump, Eric Trump, and Ivanka Trump, all of whom denied any wrongdoing. Trump, in particular, asserted that errors in financial statements were “nonmaterial” and insisted that the case is a politically motivated “witch hunt.”
The courtroom drama continues to shed light on the intricate financial dealings of the Trump Organization, setting the stage for a high-stakes legal battle that could have far-reaching implications for the Trump family’s business interests.
Trump Jnr said he never worked on the annual financial statements at the heart of New York Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit. He said he relied on the company’s longtime finance chief and outside accountants to verify their accuracy.
James alleges that Donald Trump, his company and executives including his sons exaggerated his wealth by billions of dollars on financial statements given to banks, insurers and others.
The documents were used to secure loans and make deals. James is seeking more than $300 million in what she says were ill-gotten gains and a ban on defendants doing business in New York.
Before the trial, Judge Arthur Engoron ruled that the defendants committed fraud by inflating his net worth and the value of assets on his financial statements. He imposed a punishment that could strip Trump of marquee properties like Trump Tower, though an appeals court is allowing the former president to remain in control for now.
The Trumps have denied wrongdoing. Their lawyers contend that the state failed to meet “any legal standard” to prove allegations of conspiracy, insurance fraud and falsifying business records.
The state rested its case last Wednesday after six weeks of testimony from more than two dozen witnesses. Among them: company insiders, accountants, bank officials and Trump’s fixer-turned-foe Michael Cohen.
The courtroom drama is expected to set the stage for a high-stakes legal battle that could have far-reaching implications for the Trump family’s business interests.