Donald Trump’s $250 Million Fraud Trial Takes a Dramatic Turn

Former President Donald Trump resumed his $250 million business fraud trial on the third day, which had taken a turn due to his conduct that prompted a judge to issue a gag order.

On the previous day, Trump’s Truth Social account had posted derogatory remarks about Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron’s principal law clerk. The post included the clerk’s full name and a photo of her with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

Accusing the clerk of being “Schumer’s girlfriend” and orchestrating the case against him, Trump referenced her and Schumer again when speaking to reporters outside the courtroom where the trial was ongoing.

Judge Engoron found the attack on his staff unacceptable and ordered Trump to delete the social media post. He then imposed a gag order, prohibiting Trump and others involved in the case from targeting his aides.

On the same day, Trump had also launched attacks against Judge Engoron and New York Attorney General Letitia James, alleging political bias.

The trial is a non-jury trial, with Judge Engoron solely responsible for delivering verdicts. In response to the gag order, Trump complained on social media that he wasn’t entitled to a jury trial, a claim disputed by legal experts.

Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit alleges that Trump, his two adult sons, the Trump Organization, and its top officials inflated the values of real estate properties and assets in financial statements to secure better loan terms and tax benefits. Besides seeking $250 million in damages, James aims to permanently bar the Trumps from holding officer positions in any New York business.