First Day Trump Trial Video Recap
The start of Donald Trump's fraud trial in New York was a circus yesterday, so here are all of the best video clips from the day to summarize Trump's frustration.
Donald Trump had a very bad first day in New York Civil Court yesterday. The former president is on trial in New York in a $250 million lawsuit that could alter the personal fortune and real estate empire that has represented the Trump brand for decades.
Trump and his sons, Eric and Don Jr., and named Trump Organization executives are accused by New York Attorney General Letitia James of engaging in a decade-long scheme in which they used "numerous acts of fraud and misrepresentation" to inflate Trump's net worth while lowering his tax burden.
While Donald Trump claimed at the end of the day to have had “a good day at trial,” during Monday's proceedings, he appeared agitated and angry while in the courtroom. He was often seen scowling and turning red, and Trump took several opportunities during his breaks to speak to the press, trying to spin what was really happening.
“They were lying year after year after year,” Kevin Wallace, a lawyer in James’ office said, as Trump sat at the defense table. New York Prosecutor Kevin Wallace also made a point to call Trump a habitual liar during his opening statement. Trump looked straight ahead, arms crossed, facing away from a screen that showed details of Wallace’s presentation. Trump commented on the start of the trial by telling reporters it was a “disgraceful trial.”
The judge allowed cameras into the courtroom for just a few minutes before the proceedings began, and Trump took every opportunity to speak to the press. Below is a series of videos that will give you a break-down of the events of the day, as well as a real sense of the atmosphere. Rather than posting them across social media, and possibly risking giving Trump any additional promotion, I thought it would be best to post them here, as a collection. Enjoy!
The day starts out with the cameras scanning the courtroom before opening statements. I find several things very interesting here: the side-eye from Attorney General Letitia James, who stares Trump down as the cameras come into focus; the scowl on Trump’s face; and the casual nature with which seasoned Civil Judge Arthur Engoron presents to the cameras as he smiles for his close up.
The parody videos were soon to follow on social media. Here is my favorite one from artist Rob Isreal, who posted this sitcom courtroom scene to Twitter yesterday.
The jokes continued with this next post from Representative Jared Moskowitz (D-FL):
Trump takes an opportunity during a mid-morning break to speak to the press, calling the proceedings the “single greatest witch-hunt of all time.” He also claims that Engoron is a “rogue judge” and that Attorney General James is a “racist.”
Next, Trump tells the press that his properties have been significantly devalued by Judge Engoron and that they are worth 50 to 100 times more than the court will allow. He offers no proof of this, and continues to miss the greater point — it’s one thing to make these outlandish statements to the press, but it’s another to sign your name to a bank document attesting that you have told the truth.
Trump then claims that he is the one who has actually been defrauded in all of this:
When Trump leaves the courtroom for the day, his anger is on full display as he incorrectly explains basic Civil Procedure to reporters, which includes a long rant about Statue of Limitations. He claims that he is entitled to a jury trial that the judge refuses to give him, but conveniently leaves out the fact that his attorneys failed to formally request a jury trial, which is a legal requirement.
The attacks on Attorney General Letitia James continue:
Trump’s co-defendant, his son Eric, goes on Fox News later in the day to explain that his father is a real estate mogul and that Mar-a-Lago is worth well over a billion dollars. The best part: the side camera angle of Judge Engoron smiling for the cameras in the morning like he is on his way to Disneyland.
Lindsey Graham also made an appearance on Fox News to defend Donald Trump and say, “we’re not going to let New York get away with this.” Graham also claims the best way to “stop the judge” is for Trump to win the Republican Primary election. The best part of this video is the way in which Graham pronounces Trump’s Florida Resort as “Mere-e-Lago.”
Trump’s antics throughout the day were also propelled by various defamatory statements on his Truth Social media platform. While this type of behavior can be entertaining on some level, Trump continues to risk having a gag order placed on him by the presiding judge in the case. Stay tuned.
Amee Vanderpool writes the SHERO Newsletter, is an attorney, published author, contributor to newspapers and magazines, and an analyst for BBC radio. She can be reached at avanderpool@gmail.com or follow her on Twitter @girlsreallyrule.
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Drumpf is such a joke. He continuously lies, as the prosecutor stated, and he valued his properties higher to obtain loans and de valued them when it came time to pay taxes! He is a fraud and a conman. He will not sit in the Oval Office as President again. I wish the media would call him Mr. Trump. He was never a real president. Just a grifter in the Oval Office to benefit himself and his wealthy “friends.”
And how exactly does Senator Graham intend to "stop" New York? #askingforafriend