Donald Trump Jr., the eldest son of former President Donald Trump, testified in a $250 million civil trial on Wednesday, denying any involvement in preparing financial documents that allegedly inflated his father’s net worth. This trial, initiated by New York Attorney General Tish James, accuses the Trump family and their associates of submitting fraudulent documents to obtain favorable terms from insurers and banks.
Trump Jr.’s Testimony
Under questioning from James’ office, Trump Jr. stated that he was not involved in the compilation of the statement of financial condition, a key document from 2017. This document claimed to be prepared in consultation with trustees for his father’s revocable trust, including Trump Jr. While he acknowledged advising accountants about the value of individual deals he had worked on, he claimed that these conversations were not specifically for the purpose of preparing the statements of financial condition.
Trump Jr. clarified that he could have provided details on each deal individually but did not know they would be used for this specific purpose. He emphasized that the accountants were responsible for putting the document together.
Trump Jr.’s Demeanor
Throughout his testimony, Trump Jr. maintained a lighthearted and casual tone, occasionally eliciting laughter from those present in the courtroom. His appearance, clad in a navy suit and a bubble-gum pink tie, included a humorous comment about photographers.
When the judge urged him to slow down his responses, Trump Jr. quipped, “I moved to Florida, but I kept the New York pace,” displaying a relaxed demeanor amid the legal proceedings.
Upcoming Testimonies
Donald Trump Jr.’s testimony will resume on Thursday. He is the first of the three Trump children expected to testify in this civil trial. Eric Trump, another co-defendant, is also scheduled to testify this week, while Ivanka Trump, who was dismissed as a defendant but ordered to testify, is set to appear next week. Ivanka is currently appealing the judge’s ruling requiring her testimony.
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