When the bailiff shouted "the people against Donald J. Trump", with an obvious face of few friends of the alluded, and the witness swears to tell the truth, in the courtroom of New York it was unleashed the perfect storm
Trump, in danger of losing some control of his possessions for defrauding the banks, has enough assumed that he can do and say whatever he likes, wherever he is.
But this time it was just "Mr Trump". In the courtroom was Judge Arthur Engoron, who presides over the civil trial and is in command of the square. He shut him up a few times.
The judge tried to limit the rhetoric and Trump did nothing but use the stand as if it were another of his appearances in front of the press to repeat that this is all a set-up against his political career, in which Engoron and New York Attorney General Letitia James are the executors.
He accused both of them of being "the real frauds". James, in the front row, let out a smile, when he saw that more than once Trump lost the papers, and the judge endured the provocations. Therefore, the statement was fraudulent. "This is not a political rally, it's a court", the magistrate emphasized after another monologue by the ex-president.
"It's as easy as answering yes or no," insisted Engoron. This, with Trump, is nothing more than an incitement to rampage and self-victimization. "It's a witch hunt", he repeated, as if it were an Ohio sports complex full of de-Trumpists. "This trial is very unfair", he reiterated. Engoron addressed the defense lawyers. "If they don't control it, I will remove it from the room with all the negative inferences it implies."
The lawyer Christopher Kise tried to make the judge see the "extraordinary and unusual" part of the situation. The witness was the former president and "next president". Engoron put on a poker face and insisted that his protégé answer bluntly.
At the center of this civil case is Trump's company's fraud after taking out loans and overvaluing its holdings. The judge already held the managers (father and sons) responsible. Now it's about delimiting a possible fine of up to 250 million dollars. However, the very foundation of the Trump myth is at stake, which is his regard as a great businessman.
As he explained it, he looked like the front man. He signed and the decisions were taken by others.
This pride caused the outburst. Trump wanted to read a piece of paper, a disclaimer, which he said nullifies any financial statements that have been used against the banks.
Engoron replied that it was not the time. "Read my opinion", he suggested, referring to the document in which he set the responsibility.
"You're wrong. You say I'm a fraud and you don't know me. Fraud is the court,” Trump bellowed. "How can you decide against someone and call him a fraud if he has done a great job as president of the United States?", he questioned furiously. And he reproached the judge for following the thesis of prosecutor James. "A political tool".
Prosecutor Kevin Wallace, who was in charge of the questioning, returned to his task after the attack of anger.
- Has it finished?
- I am done.
