Tensions reached a boiling point during the ongoing $250 million civil fraud trial against former President Donald Trump in New York, as his attorney Alina Habba launched a scathing critique of Judge Arthur Engoron’s conduct in court. Habba accused the judge of displaying an “unhinged” demeanor, alleging that he had already formed an opinion about Trump’s culpability prior to the trial’s commencement.
Amid a recess in the proceedings, Habba took to the courthouse steps to vent her frustrations, offering a vehement defense of her client, who faces allegations of inflating his net worth and property values to secure loans under favorable terms. She vividly recounted Judge Engoron’s purported actions during Trump’s testimony, asserting that the judge’s face “went red” while the former president was on the witness stand.
Habba claimed that the judge’s apparent objective was to stifle Trump’s responses to questions concerning his business empire and the valuation of his prominent Mar-a-Lago property. She questioned the allocation of legal fees and taxpayer resources, suggesting that the judge had prematurely jumped to conclusions.
The attorney also leveled criticism at New York Attorney General Letitia James, accusing her of attempting to “make a name for herself” by branding Trump as a “liar” and initiating the legal action against him. Habba highlighted a contentious exchange during the trial’s commencement, where Judge Engoron scolded her, leaving her unable to advocate for her client effectively.
Habba’s impassioned remarks extended to broader concerns about the state of the American judicial system and democracy, asserting that the judge appeared to resist Trump’s explanations as they contradicted a particular narrative. She contended that the judge exhibited clear bias against facts that did not align with the prosecution’s stance.
Her comments followed another session of fiery testimony from the 77-year-old former president, who passionately criticized both Letitia James and Judge Engoron. Trump accused James of being a “political hack” with personal ambitions and suggested that she initiated the case to further her aspirations of becoming New York’s governor.
In a highly combative exchange, Trump expressed frustration over allegations related to the inflated property values and net worth, vehemently rejecting the characterization of himself as a “fraud” by Judge Engoron, whom he claimed “didn’t know anything about me.” The ongoing legal proceedings continue to capture the nation’s attention as the trial unfolds with intense drama and fervent testimonies.