Ivanka Trump, former executive at the Trump Organization, took the stand on Wednesday in the civil fraud trial against her father and the Trump Organization. She testified for four hours, during which she repeatedly claimed to not remember or be aware of key details related to the company’s financial statements and loan deals.
Her testimony mirrored that of her brothers, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, who also distanced themselves from the financial documents central to the case. This strategy suggests that the Trump family is attempting to deflect responsibility for any wrongdoing onto other members of the Trump Organization.
Today, we called our last witness, Ivanka Trump, who used Donald Trump's fraudulent statements of financial condition to secure more favorable loans.
For the past five weeks, we've shown the incredible scale and scope of Donald Trump’s fraud and how he used it to enrich himself. pic.twitter.com/4Pmdz2BSaW
— NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG) November 8, 2023
Analysis:
Ivanka Trump’s testimony was marked by her repeated claims of memory loss and her composed and succinct responses. This demeanor contrasted sharply with her father’s combative and evasive testimony earlier in the week.
BREAKING: Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka Trump throws her husband Jared Kushner under the bus while testifying under oath at the Trump Organization’s $250 fraud trial in New York.
While being questioned by prosecutors from Attorney General Letitia James’ office, Ivanka Trump… pic.twitter.com/iaAabb43yj
— Occupy Democrats (@OccupyDemocrats) November 8, 2023
The Trump family’s defense team also sought to portray a harmonious relationship between the Trumps and their loan provider, Deutsche Bank. This is a key point in the defense’s strategy, as they are attempting to convince the judge that the banks were happy to do business with the Trump family and incurred no harm from the relationship.
🚨🚨Oh this is HILARIOUS:
The crowd in New York City serenading Ivanka Trump heading into court with chants of "fraud family!" 😂 pic.twitter.com/iNHKW7RX41
— Really American 🇺🇸 (@ReallyAmerican1) November 8, 2023
However, the New York attorney general’s office argues that the Trump Organization inflated assets on its financial statements to secure favorable loans. They are seeking $250 million (£204m) in fines and severe restrictions on how the Trump business operates in the state.
Overall, Ivanka Trump’s testimony was a significant development in the civil fraud trial against her father and the Trump Organization. Her claims of memory loss and her composed demeanor will likely be analyzed by both sides as the trial continues.
Here are some specific things to watch for in the coming weeks:
- The response of the New York attorney general’s office to Ivanka Trump’s testimony.
- The cross-examination of Ivanka Trump by the defense team.
- The testimony of other witnesses, such as Allen Weisselberg, the Trump Organization’s former chief financial officer.
The outcome of the trial could have significant implications for the Trump Organization and its business operations in New York.
James: Ivanka Trump secured, negotiated loans to obtain favorable terms based on fraudulent statements of financial conditions and she will attempt to distance herself from the company but the facts will reveal that she was very much involved pic.twitter.com/lerxRmRAB0
— Acyn (@Acyn) November 8, 2023