The former president and his two sons have already been found guilty of fraud. Now the trial about the penalty began – and Trump himself was there. When he arrived, there were no happy faces on the ex-president, but it was a much more positive Trump who left the court.
– It went very well. The last five minutes were outstanding. We haven’t done anything wrong. There is no victim, says Trump.
Foreign correspondent Roxa Bicer, who is on the ground in New York, says that Trump emphasized that he thinks the case is politically motivated when he left.
– Trump was very clear that he has committed absolutely no crime and exaggerated any numbers, but rather has set the numbers lower than what the prosecutor believes his assets are. He also said that the banks had no problem with him, she tells TV4 Nyheterna.
Trump wanted to “clear his name and reputation”
The trial that began on Monday in New York is part of a civil case, which means that Donald Trump did not have to be present. However, he has made it clear that he wants to be there to “clear his name and reputation”.
Trump began by verbally attacking prosecutor Letitia James in front of reporters.
– She used to stand in the gubernatorial election. She failed. She basically had no followers. She returned and said “now I’m going back and take Trump”. And this is where we are. It’s a scam and a shame.
His finances are “phenomenal,” Trump added.
May lose Trump Tower
What will now be decided is how much Trump and his family company will have to pay in fines. In addition, prosecutor Letitia James wants Trump and his sons removed from the management of the family empire.
Trump may also be forced to give up status-saturated properties in New York such as Trump Tower, an office building on Wall Street, golf courses and a suburban property. Trump himself has called it a “death sentence for companies”, AP writes.
“Inflated the value” of the assets
According to prosecutor Letitia James, Trump has been guilty of greatly overvaluing his assets in, among other things, real estate. She claims that on these grounds he has been able to secure funding, business deals and favorable loans.
Among other things, Trump is said to have claimed that his luxury apartment in Trump Tower is three times as large as in reality, and that the value is 327 million dollars. No apartment in New York City has ever sold for even close to that amount, according to James. Trump is also said to have valued the Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida at ten times its real value.
This fraudulent procedure, prosecutors allege, Trump set up schemes between 2011 and 2021 to enrich himself and his business operations. The prosecutor believes that the fine amount for this is at least 250 million dollars, i.e. around 2.6 billion kroner.
Trump and his defense claim that no one was harmed by the financial allegations: the bank loans were repaid, business partners made money and Trump’s business prospered.
Several legal processes are underway against Donald Trump, while the former president is campaigning to be re-elected president next year.