If the trial is not broadcast on television, its protagonists insulted each other on Monday October 2 in front of the cameras, on the steps of the New York courthouse. Thus, Donald Trump, before appearing before the court which judges him for having overvalued the assets of his empire, the Trump Organization, and thus obtained advantageous financial conditions, once again denounced “the greatest witch hunt of all time”.
Blue tie, navy suit and scowling face, the former president attacked prosecutor Letitia James, an African-American Democrat who, to be elected in 2018, had explicitly campaigned against Donald Trump. “We have a racist attorney general who is a horror show and ran on the assumption that she was going to get Trump before she even knew anything about me.”accused Mr. Trump, who described Judge Arthur Engoron, 74, also a Democrat, as “rogue judge” having allegedly valued Trump’s properties at a fraction of their value.
“This is an attempt to harm me in an election”, proclaimed the former American president. Mme James did not let himself be discouraged, on the steps of the palace: “No matter how powerful you are, no matter how much wealth you think you have, no one is above the law. »
“An imaginary world, not the real world”
The trial is not criminal – Donald Trump does not face prison time – but it poses high financial risks for the former president. It begins with a double handicap: the absence of jurors and an unfavorable judge since Mr. Engoron rendered a damning judgment for the former president ahead of the trial last week. He agreed with the prosecutor, believing that Mr. Trump had inflated his assets.
“In defendants’ world, rent-regulated apartments are worth the same as unregulated apartments; restricted land is worth the same as unrestricted land; restrictions can evaporate into thin air. It’s a fantasy world, not the real world.”wrote Arthur Engoron on Tuesday September 26.
He then decided to cancel the business licenses of the Trump entities, including the Trump Organization, and ordered the establishment of a trustee for “manage dissolution” of the legal entities concerned. If upheld on appeal, the ruling could force Donald Trump to divest New York properties, including Trump Tower, a Wall Street office building and golf courses.
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