WATCH: Trump Gives Closing Statement Despite Judge Engoron’s Orders Not To
President Trump made his closing statement after the New York fraud trial ended Thursday morning.
Judge Engoron, who oversaw the trial, originally was going to allow President Trump to speak a closing statement.
However, just days before the trial wrapped up, Judge Engoron rescinded his decision.
Watch his speech here:
BREAKING.🚨
Donald Trump Addresses Judge Denying Him Closing Statement, Refusing Leave Over Death in Family
“Witch hunt. It’s election interference at the highest level. It’s a disgrace. It’s in coordination with the White House and Joe Biden because you can’t win a campaign… pic.twitter.com/juucx4zAXj
— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) January 11, 2024
The folks at Fox News share more on the story:
Former President Trump delivered his own closing argument in the non-jury civil trial stemming from New York Attorney General Letitia James’ lawsuit Thursday, saying he “did nothing wrong,” that his financial statements were “perfect” and blasting the case as “election interference.”
Closing arguments in the trial began Thursday morning. The former president and 2024 GOP frontrunner was expected to deliver his own closing statement, but New York Judge Arthur Engoron rescinded the court’s offer for him to do so on Wednesday.
During Trump attorney Chris Kise’s closing statement, he requested permission for Trump to speak – a request Engoron denied, but, regardless of the judge’s decision, Trump began to deliver his own remarks.
Trump said his financial statements were “perfect,” and stressed that the bank loans were repaid and are “as happy as can be.”
Trump acknowledged that there was an “error” made regarding one “triplex,” but said that mistake was “immediately corrected” and was an “honest mistake.”
WATCH: Trump attorney and spokesperson Alina Habba delivers perfect defense of President Trump while simultaneously exposing NY AG Leticia James’ political witchhunt in 60 seconds pic.twitter.com/bMViPIoiWX
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) January 11, 2024
WATCH: Trump walks back after finishing press conference to greet supporters in his 40 Wall Street lobby after they start roaring chants of “47!” and “TRUMP!” pic.twitter.com/NsPKFtU1OC
— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) January 11, 2024
Business Insider shares more:
But five minutes before the 1 p.m. lunch break, Trump’s lawyer, Christopher Kise, asked again for permission for his client to address the judge.
“I think all the people out there want to hear from him,” Kise said.
“Well,” the judge responded, sounding surprised. “This is not how it should have been done.”
The judge then turned to Trump himself.
“Mr. Trump,” Engoron began. “If I let you speak for five minutes, do you promise to comment on just the law and the facts,” and not stray “outside” the bounds of what’s allowed in closing statements.
Still seated, Trump leaned into the microphone before him. “Well, I think that this case goes outside,” he began, trailing off.
“There was no witnesses against us,” he complained.
“The banks were happy as can be,” he said. “They weren’t defrauded. There wasn’t one witness” who complained of being defrauded in the three-month trial, he added.
“This was a political witch hunt,” he said. “We should receive damages for what they’ve taken this company through.”
It is painfully apparent that this case, as well as the others going on, are political witch hunts.
Their purpose is to try to influence the 2024 presidential election.
Democrats know that Joe Biden stands no chance against President Trump.
