Trump Testifies in Civil Fraud Trial, Clashes With Judge

Former President Donald Trump testified in his New York civil fraud trial on Monday, frequently giving what Judge Arthur Engoron called “irrelevant” answers and calling the trial a “disgrace”. 

Trump’s Remarks: Trump said he “would maybe on occasion have some suggestions” about the Trump Organization’s property valuations, which prosecutors allege were fraudulently inflated for financial gain. However, coverage from across the spectrum said the former president later appeared to “lose his cool.” He called New York Attorney General Letitia James a “political hack” and said Judge Engoron “always rules against me.” He also said the lawyer questioning him, and other “Democrat district attorneys,” were “all Trump haters.” 

Engoron’s Remarks: Judge Engoron tried to rein Trump in on multiple occasions, saying, “We don’t have time to waste. We have one day to do this.” Responding to Trump’s off-topic criticism, Engoron said, “Please answer the question. You can attack me all you want, but just answer the question.” At one point, he asked Trump’s lawyer, “Can you control your client? This is not a political rally; this is a courtroom.” 

How the Media Covered It: Sensationalism spanned the online news media. Coverage often framed the testimony as a “clash”; a New York Post (Lean Right bias) homepage headline described Trump’s “yelling rant” as “TRIAL BY FURY.” Some coverage from the right appeared sympathetic to Trump; a Fox News (Right bias) subhead said, “New York Judge Engoron says he does not 'want to hear everything' Trump 'has to say',” thus potentially framing Engoron as biased.