In a pivotal moment in the ongoing civil fraud trial against former President Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr. returned to the witness stand in New York, facing a challenging task of maintaining his credibility. Legal experts speculate that his testimony could play a crucial role in the trial's outcome, as he is the first defense witness following the prosecution's presentation.
Barbara McQuade, a former U.S. attorney, expressed skepticism about Trump Jr.'s credibility, citing his previous strategy of distancing himself from knowledge about the financial statements at the core of the lawsuit. "It's going to be very difficult for Donald Trump Jr. to really have a lot of credibility here," McQuade said on MSNBC. "His whole strategy, when he testified previously, was to distance himself from knowledge about these things."
The $250 million lawsuit brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James accuses the former president and his organization of inflating assets to secure loans. In his prior testimony on November 1, Trump Jr. claimed he had minimal involvement in working on the organization's financial statements, despite having signed off on them.
Harry Litman, a former Deputy Assistant Attorney General, suggested that Trump Jr. might stick to his earlier stance of lacking detailed knowledge and relying on accountants. However, this approach could leave him vulnerable to pointed cross-examination by the Attorney General's office.
The stakes of the trial are high, not just for the former president but also for his family's real estate empire. Judge Arthur Engoron, presiding over the trial, has already partially sided with James' office, finding a history of fraudulent acts by the Trumps. The Trumps have consistently denied any wrongdoing, dismissing the case as a politically motivated "witch hunt."
In a dramatic display of frustration earlier in the trial, Donald Trump Sr. lashed out in court, criticizing the Attorney General and labeling the trial as political warfare. "It's very unfair. But in the meantime, the people and country understand it, they see it, and they don't like it," he stated.
As the defense continues its case, Eric Trump and Ivanka Trump are also expected to reappear on the stand. Their previous testimonies similarly emphasized their reliance on accountants and legal teams for the accuracy of the financial statements.
The trial's outcome could have far-reaching implications for the Trump family and their business dealings. As it progresses, all eyes are on the courtroom, where the family's defense strategy hinges on distancing themselves from the detailed workings of their financial statements.
