Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to testify Monday in the New York civil case against his family business, bringing the long-running trial to a crescendo as the GOP front-runner tries to balance legal woes with another White House bid.
Mr. Trump has turned the Manhattan courthouse into a campaign stage since early October, criticizing prosecutors and Judge Arthur Engoron from the hallways. Now, he will be in the hot seat on the witness stand, forcing him to defend his business under oath against claims that he submitted fraudulent financial statements to gain favorable terms on loans and insurance.
New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, is predicting fireworks.
“Next week, Donald Trump himself will take the stand. And while I am sure he will try to hide his wrongdoing behind taunts, threats and name-calling, we will not be bullied out of uncovering the truth,” she said in a social media video.
State attorney Andrew Amer told the court the “only witness will be Donald J. Trump” on Monday, according to ABC News.
Mr. Trump will testify while leading national polls of the GOP primary electorate by 40 to 50 points over his nearest challengers, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.
The ex-president is not known for holding back in his rhetoric, though the witness stand will be an unusual setting that contrasts with his rallies.
“He’ll be as strident as he’s allowed to be by the judge. Remember, he’s under oath, so a lot of the bombastic nature he prides himself on demonstrating won’t be allowed in court. That will somewhat be dimmed by the nature of the actual proceedings,” Robert Sanders, a distinguished lecturer on national security and law at the University of New Haven, said.
Mr. Trump’s appearance follows testimony from his two elder sons.
On Friday, Eric Trump was pressed about what steps he took to verify information before signing documents certifying to lender Deutsche Bank that his father’s financial statements were correct.
The son insisted he would never sign something that was inaccurate.
“I relied on one of the biggest accounting firms in the country. And I relied on a great legal team. And when they gave me comfort that the statement was perfect, I was more than happy to execute,” he said.
Speaking to reporters outside the courtroom, Eric Trump called the case a “charade” and a waste of taxpayer dollars.
“We’re going to win this thing,” he said. “I promise you we’re going to win it because we haven’t done a damn thing wrong.”
Also last week, Donald Trump Jr. told the court he relied on accountants and legal advisers to prepare financial statements at the heart of Ms. James’ complaint.
Mr. Trump, who faces a number of criminal trials next year, says the lawsuit is part of a broader plot to thwart his political ambitions. He also says Ms. James is trying to penalize him for common real estate practices.
Judge Engoron, and not a jury, will decide whether Mr. Trump and his sons are liable and what penalty is necessary.
Before the trial, the judge found the Trumps liable on one of Ms. James’ claims. The unfolding trial is examining remaining claims and whether the Trumps should be penalized.
Mr. Sanders said the judge might not let Mr. Trump and his sons pass the buck to accountants and other outside help.
“They got the information from you, it came from your company,” he said.
The former president’s daughter Ivanka Trump is scheduled to take the stand Wednesday after an appeals court denied her attempt to avoid testifying.
Ms. Trump is not a defendant in the suit, but Judge Engoron ruled that her testimony could be relevant due to past business in New York.
• This story is based in part on wire service reports.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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