Former President Donald Trump stormed out of his $250 million fraud trial on Wednesday after a series of legal blows that saw him fined $10,000 and his request for a directed verdict denied. The dramatic courtroom outburst came as one of his lawyers finished questioning fixer-turned-foe Michael Cohen, who testified that Trump did not instruct him to inflate the value of his properties.
Cohen’s admission, which contradicted his earlier testimony, prompted Trump’s defense attorney Clifford Robert to request a directed verdict. However, Judge Arthur Engoron promptly denied the request, stating that there was “enough evidence in this case to fill this courtroom.” He also clarified that he does not consider Cohen a “key witness.”
During redirect, Cohen clarified that although Trump did not specifically ask him to inflate the property values, it was understood that he was expected to do so. Comparing Trump to a mob boss who gives indirect orders, Cohen said that he did not want to “disappoint” the former president. This testimony further undermined Trump’s defense, as his lawyers had been trying to portray Cohen as a convicted felon and serial liar.
The tense proceedings took a turn when Trump was hit with another fine of $10,000 for violating a partial gag order. This was the second fine in two days, with the first being a $5,000 fine for a social media post that violated the same order. Judge Engoron had previously warned Trump to refrain from commenting on his staff and had also issued the order to avoid any potential harm to them.
Engoron’s stern warning to Trump about his behavior in and out of the courtroom seemed to have had little effect as the former president continued to make controversial statements. During a break in the trial, Trump spoke to reporters and called the judge and his clerk Allison Greenfield “partisan.” When summoned to explain his remarks, Trump sat in the witness box and claimed that he was referring to Cohen in his comment, not Greenfield. However, the judge found Trump’s explanation “not credible” and warned him to “not do it again.”
The testimonies of Cohen and other witnesses have shed light on Trump’s business practices and have brought into question the valuations of his properties. Cohen has testified that Trump had him inflate property values to secure better insurance premiums, while other witnesses have claimed that Trump’s financial statements were falsified to obtain loans and tax benefits. These allegations could potentially have serious consequences for Trump and his business empire.
The trial, which could result in the break-up of Trump’s business, has been described by the former president as a “fraud” and a “political witch hunt.” However, the testimony of witnesses, including his former close associates, have painted a different picture. As the trial progresses and more evidence is presented, it remains to be seen how Trump and his team will defend against these allegations.
