- A fraud trial begins today in New York against Donald Trump.
- The former US president announced on his Truth Social platform that he would be present in court.
- A New York judge found Trump, his sons and senior employees guilty last week of inflating the value of the Trump Organization for years.
- With the manipulation, according to the indictment, Trump tried to get loans more cheaply – which violates New York law.
“I am going to court tomorrow morning to fight for my name and my reputation,” wrote the Republican favorite for the 2024 presidential election in a message published late in the evening on the Truth Social platform. He described the New York Attorney General as “corrupt” and the judge handling the case as “unbalanced”.
Legend:
Currently the most popular presidential candidate for 2024 among Republican voters: Donald Trump.
Reuters/MIKE BLAKE
Since the proceedings in New York are a civil case, Trump does not face any prison time in this process. The lawsuit brought by Attorney General Letitia James is about determining possible penalties for the alleged overvaluation of his company’s real estate and financial assets. James specifically wants to ensure that Trump has to pay 250 million US dollars (around 236 million euros) and is no longer allowed to do business in New York.
At stake for the ex-US president is, among other things, control over several properties in New York state. It is still unclear whether Trump could even be forced to sell some landmarks, including Trump Tower in Manhattan. Trump denies all allegations.
Charged with four counts
The former US president is currently criminally charged in four different cases. As of March 4, he will have to stand trial in federal court in Washington for allegedly attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.
The proceedings have so far not affected his popularity within his own ranks. In surveys among Republican voters for the presidential election in November 2024, Donald Trump is well ahead of the other candidates.