Former President Donald Trump's sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, testified in the New York civil fraud trial on Thursday, which is investigating the family's business practices.[0] The trial, which centers around allegations of financial fraud and the inflation of the former president's net worth, is seeking $250 million in damages from the Trump family and their business, the Trump Organization.
The testimony of the two oldest Trump sons provided differing accounts of their involvement in the financial documents that are at the heart of the case. Eric Trump attempted to distance himself from the specific statements of financial condition that are being examined in the trial, claiming that he had general knowledge of the company's financial records but did not have direct involvement in the specific statements.[1] However, emails and notes presented by the attorney for the New York Attorney General's office showed that Eric Trump had been asked by the company's controller for information related to his father's financial statements.
Donald Trump Jr., on the other hand, testified that he was not involved in the accounting that went into preparing the financial statements.[2] He stated that the work was done by the company's accountants and that he relied on them for accurate information.[3]
The trial has been marked by tensions between the Trump family and the judge presiding over the case, Arthur Engoron. Trump has been fined twice for violating a gag order that prohibits him from making comments about the court staff.[1] The judge has warned that further violations could result in an expansion of the gag order to include the attorneys involved in the case.
If the judge's ruling is upheld by an appellate court, the Trump Organization could face severe penalties, including the loss of its ability to operate in New York state.[4] This would be a significant blow to Donald Trump and his business empire.[4] The testimony of his children could play a crucial role in the outcome of the trial.
The New York Attorney General's office has accused the Trumps of a decade-long scheme to inflate Donald Trump's net worth in order to obtain financial advantages in business deals. The lawsuit alleges that the Trump Organization engaged in fraudulent practices to secure better loan terms and tax benefits.
Ivanka Trump, who was initially named as a party in the lawsuit, was dismissed from the case in June based on the state's statute of limitations.[5] However, she may still be called to testify if her appeal against an order to do so is unsuccessful.
The trial continues, with Eric Trump expected to continue his testimony on Friday and Donald Trump himself scheduled to take the stand on Monday.[6] The outcome of the trial will have significant implications for the Trump family and their business empire.
0. “Fox News Politics: Trump's ‘very good' sons” Fox News, 2 Nov. 2023, https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fox-news-politics-trumps-very-good-sons
1. “Trump's sons deny responsibility for documents inflating their dad's net worth” POLITICO, 2 Nov. 2023, https://www.politico.com/news/2023/11/02/trump-sons-testify-civil-fraud-trial-00125140
2. “Trump sons testify during New York civil fraud trial against their family business” The Washington Post, 2 Nov. 2023, https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/11/02/trump-fraud-trial-new-york/
3. “Trump sons downplay involvement with documents at center of New York fraud trial” CBS News, 3 Nov. 2023, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/donald-trump-jr-testimony-new-york-fraud-trial-day-2
4. “Will the testimony of Trump's children be a watershed moment for the former president?” The Week, 1 Nov. 2023, https://theweek.com/politics/will-the-testimony-of-trumps-children-be-a-watershed-moment-for-the-former-president
5. “Ivanka Trump appeals judge’s order to testify in New York fraud trial” The Hill, 2 Nov. 2023, https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/4289332-ivanka-trump-appeals-judge-order-testify-ny-fraud-trial
6. “New York v. Trump Day 22: Don Jr.'s Departure; Eric Trump's Entrance, and End-of-Day Outbursts” The Messenger, 3 Nov. 2023, https://themessenger.com/news/new-york-trump-don-jr-eric-trump-testimony
