‘Witch Hunt’: Trump Arrives In New York Court For $250 Million Civil Fraud Suit

Former President Donald Trump entered the New York City Supreme Court in Manhattan on Monday for the first day of his trial over claims that he inflated his net worth by billions for better loans. 

As Trump arrived at the courthouse, he told reporters the trial was “a continuation of the single greatest witch hunt of all time.” The former president is accused of inflating his net worth by as much as $2 billion in certain years, and New York Attorney General Letitia James wants Trump fined $250 million. 

“There is no crime,” Trump said before he entered the chamber on Monday. “The crime is against me.”

Alina Habba, a lawyer for Trump, also spoke before the trial began, saying that Trump was facing the charges because he is leading in the polls. Trump has consistently held a large lead in the Republican presidential primary and has gained a lead on President Joe Biden as well. 

“What we are witnessing is election interference of somebody who is leading in the polls the more they hit him. So keep hitting him, because he’s going to keep fighting,” Habba said. 

James also spoke to reporters on Monday morning, claiming that Trump has engaged in fraud.

“Today we will prove our other claims,” she said. “My message is simple: No matter how powerful you are, no matter how much money you think you may have, no one is above the law. And it is my responsibility and my duty and my job to enforce it.”

Presiding Judge Arthur Engoron, a Democrat, already ruled last week that Trump is liable for “persistent fraud” after the New York State Attorney General’s Office (OAG) said Trump had prepared, certified, and submitted false and misleading financial statements to lenders.

As part of that ruling, Trump and his sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, could lose control over their New York properties. James sued them under a law requiring a judge to decide the outcome rather than a jury, meaning that Engoron will decide if Trump needs to pay the $250 million, according to the New York Times. 

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Trump previously spoke out against the charges ahead of his court appearance, slamming James and Engoron on Truth Social and in a video text message.

“I’m going to Court tomorrow morning to fight for my name and reputation against a corrupt and racist Attorney General, Letitia James, who campaigned on ‘getting Trump,’ and a Trump Hating Judge who is unfair, unhinged, and vicious in his PURSUIT of me,” Trump said in a post to Truth Social. “He values Mar-a-Lago, in Palm Beach, Florida, at 18 Million Dollars, when it is worth 50 to 100 times that amount. His valuations are FRAUDULENT in pursuit of Election Interference, and worse. THIS WHOLE CASE IS A SHAM!!! See you in Court – Monday morning.”