In a scathing video released Friday evening, New York Attorney General Letitia James directly refuted former President Donald Trump’s characterization of his recent court proceedings and delivered a powerful critique of the defense’s case. The video highlights inconsistencies and potential flaws in Trump’s legal strategy, raising further questions about his financial dealings and the credibility of his expert witnesses.
James’s video comes after a week of intense testimony in the ongoing fraud case against Trump and the Trump Organization. The trial, presided over by Judge Arthur Engoron, has seen both sides present their arguments and evidence.
James’s video focuses specifically on the testimony of Trump’s expert witnesses, arguing that they ultimately provided more support for her case than for Trump’s. She highlights several key points:
- One of Trump’s expert witnesses admitted that valuations of certain properties were “neither proper nor reasonable,” directly contradicting Trump’s claims of accurate financial reporting.
- Another expert witness, a member of Trump’s private club Mar-a-Lago, admitted to discussing the lawsuit with Trump at the club, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest.
- An accounting professor, whose fees were paid by Trump’s political PAC, conceded that the value of Trump’s triplex apartment was significantly inflated.
- James further criticizes the same accounting professor’s attempt to testify beyond his expertise, stating that he “is not prepared to opine on Donald Trump’s statements of financial condition since the 1980s.”
In conclusion, James emphasizes that while Trump may attempt to distract and deflect attention, the evidence and witness testimony presented in court paint a different picture: “He can continue to try to distract from reality. He can continue to call me names, but as the judge said today, the standard is truth and the truth is on our side.”
The video effectively counters Trump’s narrative and raises serious doubts about the defense’s strategy. It highlights potential inconsistencies and flaws in Trump’s financial statements and underscores the importance of factual accuracy in the legal proceedings. As the trial continues, James’s video serves as a reminder that the truth will ultimately prevail.