Trump's Manhattan fraud trial enters day 5

Jeffrey McConney, controller for the Trump Organization, left, at New York State Supreme Court in New York, US, on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Donald Trump is facing off against New York Attorney General Letitia James in a contentious civil trial that threatens his control over his real estate empire in the state. Photographer: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images

The fifth day of former President Donald Trump's civil fraud trial in Manhattan wrapped up at 12:45 p.m., with the trial set to resume next week.

Former Trump Organization controller Jeffrey McConney testified about the 2013 valuation of Trump National Golf Club Westchester in Briarcliff Manor, New York. He was questioned by prosecutor Andrew Amer, who said the valuation was based on the addition of 71 midrise housing units.

The Trump Organization said the units would be worth $101 million when completed, however an appraisal had valued them at $43.3 million, Amer said. 

McConney testified that he had a conversation with Eric Trump, the president's second son, who instructed him to "leave the value as is" despite the appraisal. 

During a discussion about another Trump property at Seven Springs in Westchester County, New York, McConney admitted the property's $261 million valuation in 2013 included seven mansions, estimated to be worth $23 million each, that were not yet built.

McConney also told prosecutors that former Trump Organization chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg was his boss. When asked by Amer whether Weisselberg asked him (McConney) on more than one occasion if Weisselberg asked him to commit fraud, he said no.

However, Amer then pointed to McConney's testimony during the Manhattan district attorney's trial where he responded differently. He read a portion of the transcript where McConney admits to processing a payroll check for Weisselberg’s wife so she can get social security benefits and that he (McConney) knew it was illegal.

McConney then said that he did that because Weisselber was his boss and he was afraid to get fired. 

Weisselberg will take the stand when the trial resumes Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. ET.

Fox News' Maria Paronich and Helena Cheng contributed to this report.

Letitia James, New York's attorney general, center, exits a courtroom at New York State Supreme Court in New York, US, on Thursday, Oct. 5, 2023. Donald Trump is facing off against New York Attorney General Letitia James in a contentious civil trial that threatens his control over his real estate empire in the state. Photographer: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images

New York Attorney General Letitia James accused Donald Trump's legal team of attempting to "sow chaos" by pausing the ongoing civil fraud trial.

In a court filing responding to Trump's request for a stay of the trial, James said that granting Trump's request would lead to a "cascade of delays" that would interrupt the other pending litigation involving the former president.

"A stay is a drastic remedy in all cases, but defendants cannot come close to demonstrating that the equities or the merits favor the truly extraordinary relief of upending an ongoing trial midstream," James wrote in a letter to the court. 

The state's top prosecutor argued Trump's request for a stay pending his appeal of Judge Athur Engoron's summary judgement, which found Trump liable of fraud, would upset months of planning for witness testimony and special arrangements to provide the public access to the high-profile trial. 

"And tellingly, they waited until after Mr. Trump decided to stop attending the trial," the letter said. "Defendants have thus sought to interrupt trial midcourse in a highly disruptive manner, and this Court should deny an interim stay on that basis alone."

James also accused Trump's team of attempting to "play one court against the other" by invoking the busy schedule of Trump's other pending cases in the request for a stay. 

In addition to James' civil fraud case, Trump is due in court for criminal trials the New York hush money case, the Georgia election interference case, Special Counsel Jack Smith's federal election interference case in Washington, D.C. and his classified documents case.

Fox News' Maria Paronich contributed to this update.

Former US President Donald Trump speaks to the media during the third day of his civil fraud trial in New York on October 4, 2023. The civil trial comes after New York Judge Arthur Engoron already ruled that Trump and his sons Eric and Don Jr committed fraud by inflating the value of the real estate and financial assets of the Trump Organization for years. (Photo by KENA BETANCUR/AFP via Getty Images)

Former President Donald Trump's legal team has filed an emergency stay of his civil fraud trial. 

Trump's lawyers are requesting the trial be delayed until an appeal on Judge Arthur Engoron's summary judgment, which found Trump liable of fraud, can be heard. They are also requesting a stay of enforcement on the summary judgement decision and the cancelation of his business licenses. Trump's team believes the judge's order will cause the loss of hundreds of jobs.

The document filed Friday states in part, “Supreme Court’s decision will unquestionably inflict severe and irreparable harm not only to Appellants but to innocent nonparties and employees who depend on the affected entities for their livelihoods. Terminating non-party business licenses without jurisdiction, without process, without statutory authority, without trial, and without reason renders impossible the lawful operation of multiple businesses and threatens termination of hundreds of New York employees without any jurisdiction or due process. Supreme Court clearly does not comprehend the scope of the chaos its decision has wrought.”

Fox News' Maria Paronich contributed to this report.

Trump attorney Alina Habba said Thursday that former President Donald Trump will appeal an order from Judge Arthur Engoron that cancelled his business certificates.

Habba told FOX Business host Larry Kudlow that "all legal excessive bounds" were being broken in New York Attorney General Letitia James' civil fraud case against Trump, alleging that he exaggerated the value of his properties and defrauded lenders and others. 

"I want the American people to understand this judge already ordered that the Trump Organization, all affiliated companies, even his trust, be dissolved. That was ordered before we walked into that courtroom, before an expert took the stand, before anybody took the stand, and before my clients could even take the stand and defend themselves," Habba said. "So he summarily ordered that. That is something that is breaking news. We will be appealing and that'll be filed tomorrow."

Habba said the judge's order set a precedent that should worry the people of New York. 

"If we're saying that the attorney general can now leap and dive into private businesses, private enterprises, because they are using a consumer fraud application in a private business. That is a very concerning and very serious issue for businesses in the state of New York that that has never been done before," she said. 

TOPSHOT - Former US President Donald Trump waves after speaking to the media during the third day of his civil fraud trial in New York on October 4, 2023. The civil trial comes after New York Judge Arthur Engoron already ruled that Trump and his sons Eric and Don Jr committed fraud by inflating the value of the real estate and financial assets of the Trump Organization for years. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)

On Thursday night, former President Donald Trump's attorneys withdrew his lawsuit against Judge Arthur Engoron and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Trump had sued in an attempt to make the judge either issue an order limiting the civil fraud case against him or delay the trial. But last week, an appeals court denied Trump's request to stay the ongoing trial.

The lawsuit was discontinued without prejudice, according to a court filing.

In a lawsuit filed last year, AG James accuses President Trump of inflating the value of his assets in order to obtain favorable loans from banks.  James is seeking $250 million in penalties and to ban Trump from doing business in NY. 

Last week, the judge in the case, Judge Arthur Engoron, ruled President Trump was liable for fraud and refused to dismiss the lawsuit.  He also ordered some of Trump’s business licenses to be rescinded. 

The judge will ultimately decide if Trump, his sons, and business is liable in 6 other causes of action. President Trump has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and referred to the lawsuit as another witch-hunt.  He has also attacked both Judge Engoron and AG James on social media multiple times, calling the judge “deranged” and James a “racist.”  

Fox News' Maria Paronich contributed to this update.

Fox News legal analyst Gregg Jarrett said Thursday that New York Attorney General Letitia James may have violated former President Trump's constitutional rights with her civil fraud case.

Jarrett joined "The Evening Edit" and told host Elizabeth MacDonald that James was "turning the law on its head" to go after Trump. "This executive law, Liz, was intended for consumer fraud cases impacting the general public. Here, the public wasn't impacted at all. Indeed, no party was harmed, which is normally an element of proof in fraud cases. The banks paid more than $100 million in profits from the loans to Trump," said Jarrett. 

"So, you know, this statute, as it's being used by Letitia James, is really turning the law on its head. It gives her unfettered authority to pursue Trump for fraud without actually having to prove the basic elements of fraud demanded by law. And that, as you say, deprives the defendant of a right to fairly defend himself. And it also deprives him of a right to a trial by jury, both of which are due process violations under the fifth, the seventh and the 14th Amendments to the Constitution," he continued. 

Jarrett argued that Judge Arthur Engoron's order forcing the dissolution of Trump's companies was unconstitutional as well.

"The judge's order of forced dissolution of any company that Trump has an interest in, well, what's that going to do? It's going to adversely impact every other business partner and entity associated with Trump that are not part of this case. They weren't even sued. They'll be harmed with no notice, no right to defend their interests. How is that consumer protection? It's not. It's consumer punishment. This isn't equitable relief, which the statute calls for. It's a severe penalty where trial by jury rights are utterly abysmal," Jarrett said. 

Former President Trump took a break from his legal troubles overnight Thursday to endorse Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, to be the next speaker of the House. 

"Congressman Jim Jordan has been a STAR long before making his very successful journey to Washington, D.C., representing Ohio’s 4th Congressional District.," Trump posted on his TRUTH Social. "Respected by all, he is now Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee."

"As President, I had the honor of presenting Jim with our Country’s highest civilian award, The Presidential Medal of Freedom," Trump continued. "So much is learned from sports, and Jim was a master!"

Trump, praising Jordan’s wrestling record, said that "while attending Graham High School, he won State Championships all four years, a rarity, and compiled an amazing 156-1 record. At the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Jim became a two-time NCAA Division l Wrestling Champion."

"He won his 1985-86 NCAA Championship Matches in his weight class," Trump posted. "Jim has a masters degree in Education from Ohio State University & a Law Degree from Capital University."

He added: "He is STRONG on Crime, Borders, our Military/Vets, & 2nd Amendment. Jim, his wife, Polly, & family are outstanding - He will be a GREAT Speaker of the House, & has my Complete & Total Endorsement!"

Jordan, the chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, announced his bid for speaker of the House on Wednesday after Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s historic ouster, following a successful motion to vacate.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., also announced his bid for speaker of the House.

Attorney General Letitia James arrives for the start of the civil fraud trial of former President Donald Trump at New York State Supreme Court on October 02, 2023 in New York City. Former President Trump may be forced to sell off his properties after Justice Arthur Engoron canceled his business certificates and ruled that he committed fraud for years while building his real estate empire after being sued by Attorney General Letitia James, who is seeking $250 million in damages. The trial will determine how much he and his companies will be penalized for the fraud. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

New York Attorney General Letitia James once insisted she did not have a "personal vendetta" against former President Trump despite her rhetoric suggesting otherwise.

Trump has waged a war of words with James as she brought a civil lawsuit to trial putting his real estate business empire in legal jeopardy over fraud allegations. 

This week James declared, "The Donald Trump show is over. This was nothing more than a political stunt. A fund-raising stop, and now we can continue to go forward with our trial, and we are confident that justice will be served."

Back in August 2019, James dismissed Trump's allegations that her work is part of a "political witch hunt," a "personal vendetta" and that she "campaigned against him," assuring MSNBC's Rachel Maddow, "That is not true."

However, at multiple political rallies, James declared Trump an "illegitimate president."

"His days are numbered!" James shouted to supporters. 

At another rally, James told the crowd, "We've got to get ready to mobilize, and we've got to get ready to agitate and irritate until victory is won, but more importantly, until Trump is defeated."

"We will all rise up and resist this man!" James said at a separate event. "We'll bring him down!"

Repeating her "illegitimate" jab against Trump, she once told him, "I'm going to give you the same level of respect that you gave to President Obama, and that is absolutely no respect at all."

In December 2018, after she won her election to attorney general, James said, "We will use every area of the law to investigate President Trump and his business transactions and that of his family as well."

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES - 2023/07/10: Marquee at the main entrance to the Trump Tower building in Manhattan. (Erik McGregor/LightRocket via Getty Images)

Trump Organization financial documents suggest that former President Donald Trump had final review over his statements, according to evidence entered into court Thursday.

A copy of the Trump Organization's 2014 statement of financial condition marked-up by former controller Jeffrey McConney included a handwritten note that reads, "DJT TO GET FINAL REVIEW." 

The document also contained a list of the 2013 value of Trump's properties, which McConney had edited to reflect 2014 values.

McConney testified in court Thursday that Trump Organization executives boosted the value of the former president's properties based on asking prices for comparable properties rather than sales prices, as appraisals use. 

McConney, who worked at the Trump Organization from 1987 until February, also testified at the company's criminal tax fraud trial last year. Granted immunity from prosecution, the ex-controller admitted breaking the law to help fellow executives avoid taxes on company-paid perks, including by filing false tax returns.

The company was convicted. Trump himself wasn’t charged in that case.

McConney acknowledged Thursday that he made the notes on the 2014 financial document but did not elaborate on Trump's involvement.

The Associated Press contributed to this post. 

Democrat New York Attorney General Letitia James and former President Donald Trump. (Getty Images)

New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a public statement on the ongoing civil fraud trial against former President Donald Trump in an unusual move for a prosecutor.

In a short video posted on X, James commented on testimony given Thursday by Jeffrey McConney, the former controller at the Trump organization. 

"Mr. McConney was responsible for collecting the data and valuations that were used to compile the fraudulent statements of financial condition at the center of our case. He testified that he and other defendants, including Allen Weisselberg, used baseless property values to inflate Mr. Trump's net worth," James said. 

James' lawsuit against Trump alleges he committed fraud by exaggerating his wealth and property values in order to obtain tax benefits, insurance benefits and favorable loan terms. 

"The defendants like to act as though this case is very complicated when, in fact, the fraud they committed is simple," James continued. "Donald Trump often calls his business 'perfect,' and 'beautiful.' But it's clear that when it comes to running a company, he doesn't care about the real numbers or the facts. The reality is, under our system of law, the facts matter. And we will continue to make our case in court." 

Liberal Washington Post columnist and associate editor Ruth Marcus wrote Tuesday that she was worried that former President Donald Trump was getting harsher treatment that "anyone else" in the New York fraud case against him.

"The rule of law means not allowing Trump to evade responsibility, criminal or civil, for his behavior. But it also entails not treating Trump more harshly than anyone else in similar circumstances, and I worry that is what is happening here," she wrote.

Marcus said that while she believes Trump is a "fraudster," the punishment the former president received was "unprecedented." 

"But forcing the sale or other disposition of his businesses, as the judge ordered in his opinion last week, seems both unnecessary and unduly punitive, disproportionate to the offenses charged. And I worry that this consequence would not have been meted out to a different defendant who engaged in similar misconduct," Marcus continued.

Marcus cites multiple experts, including one who worked at the New York attorney general's office that said that "legal experts are trying to grapple with this in real time because to the extent that this remedy has been utilized before it hasn’t been utilized for a remedy of this scale and scope."

Michael Cohen said he did not want to see former President Donald Trump handcuffed or "paraded" out of respect for the "institution of the presidency." (AP)

Former President Trump is voluntarily dismissing his lawsuit against his former attorney Michael Cohen, but vowed to refile against him once he has "prevailed" in the "witch hunts against him," Fox News Digital has learned.  

Trump sued Cohen for $500 million in April, alleging a breach of attorney-client relationship, unjust enrichment, and more.

But Trump attorneys on Thursday night filed a motion "voluntarily dismissing this action without prejudice."

"Given that President Trump is required to sit for deposition in a civil matter on Columbus Day, when he is scheduled to be in the Great State of New Hampshire, and while the President is fighting against the meritless claims that have been lodged against him in New York, Washington D.C., Florida, and Georgia, as well as continuing his winning campaign, where he is leading the Republicans by 60 points and Crooked Joe Biden by 11 points, to serve as our next President of the United States, President Trump has decided to temporarily pause his meritorious claims against Michael Cohen," the Trump spokesperson said.

The lawsuit will be refiled against Cohen at a later date, the spokesperson said.

"Once President Trump has prevailed in dealing with the witch hunts against him, he will continue to pursue his claims against Michael Cohen, who rightfully deserves to, and will be held accountable for his unlawful words and actions just as the Southern District of New York held him accountable for numerous non-Trump related acts and crimes, making Cohen a very ‘proud’ felon," the spokesperson said.

Trump’s legal team in April filed the more-than 30-page federal lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida, alleging Cohen breached his attorney-client relationship by "spreading falsehoods" about Trump that were "likely to be embarrassing or detrimental, and partook in other misconduct," while also breaching contractual terms of a confidentiality agreement he signed as a condition of employment with Trump.

The lawsuit alleged that Cohen spread falsehoods about Trump "with malicious intent and to wholly self-serving ends." 

Cohen is a witness in New York Attorney General Letitia James' lawsuit against Trump alleging that he fraudulently overvalued his properties and exaggerated his wealth. Cohen has claimed Trump would regularly task him and other lawyers with inflating his net worth and testified that he witnessed this behavior regularly between 2011 and 2015. 

Trump attorney Christopher Kise declared that Trump's financial statements contained no false entries, and that prosecutors were relying on a the word of a known liar, Michael Cohen, to establish wrongdoing.

Fox News' Chris Pandolfo and Anders Hagstrom contributed to this update.

"The View" co-host Sara Haines said Thursday that Donald Trump's legal problems and appearance in court this week is part of a 2024 campaign strategy to make sure "we're all talking about him." 

The panel discussed the former president appearing in a New York courtroom during civil lawsuit proceedings brought against him by the New York Attorney General Letitia James and the judge's decision to impose a gag-order preventing all parties from engaging in any verbal attacks against court staff.  

"I think these trials are affecting how much Donald Trump can actually engage in campaigning. Yesterday he was being told he’s broke and dealing with the fraud cases. He was completely tapped out of the Kevin McCarthy drama. He didn’t come to the defense of my Kevin. He didn’t call Matt Gaetz or anything," co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin said. 

Haines disagreed as she interrupted and said that it was all part of the Republican presidential front-runner's campaign "strategy."

"He did it in 2016. We’re all talking about him. They had cameras on the courthouse to see if he walks his little buns in there – big buns. Sorry," she said, prompting laughter from the audience. 

"But point being, we’re not talking about potential options because we hear these polls all the time. No one else is going to get it, but we're not talking about them. We’re also doing it right now, but every news network is watching Donald Trump. He dominates the air waves and then he uses that as his campaign," Haines said. 

Fox News' Hanna Panreck contributed to this report.

FILE - Trump Organization senior vice president and controller Jeffrey McConney returns to the courthouse after a break in the company's trial on Nov. 1, 2022, in New York.

Former Trump Organization controller Jeffrey McConney testified Thursday that company executives once boosted the estimated worth of Trump's Manhattan penthouse by $20 million.

At day four of Trump's civil fraud trial in Manhattan, witnesses were called to present evidence to show that Trump overvalued his properties. New York Attorney General Letitia James in a lawsuit alleges the former president conspired with his top executives to exaggerate his wealth and deceive lenders and others. Trump has denied any wrongdoing.

In pretrial testimony, the former president said that people who did business with him were given ample warning not to trust the statements, and that he never thought that the documents “would be taken very seriously.” He described the financial statements as more a “compilation of properties” than a true representation of their value, saying some numbers were “guesstimates.”

But McConney’s testimony came with evidence that the documents were integral to some of Trump’s loan deals. In letters shown in the court, McConney told a bank that he was providing Trump’s 2015 and 2016 financial statements as required under the conditions of a loan for his Seven Springs estate north of New York City.

McConney testified that Trump executives valued his penthouse by searching through real estate listings and comparing it to only the highest-priced similar apartments. He said a $100 million increase in the penthouse's valuation in 2012 was based on an asking price for a similar triplex in a Trump-owned building elsewhere in Manhattan — an apartment that eventually sold for just 40% of its asking price.

In 2013, McConney added another $20 million, increasing the value of Trump's penthouse to $200 million. He testified that the change was based partly on a suggestion from a Trump real estate executive who said the apartment should be valued higher because Trump was a celebrity.

McConney also said he used his own calculations instead of relying on a bank appraisal to increase the stated worth of Trump's Wall Street office building by $227 million.

Prosecutors say these and other asset valuations were included in Trump's financial statements, which were given to banks, insurers and others in "persistent and repeated fraud."

Trump, who did not attend Thursday's proceedings, has accused James, a Democrat, of leading a "witch hunt" against him to damage his 2024 presidential campaign.

The Associated Press contributed to this update.

L - Former President Donald Trump R - New York Judge Arthur Engoron (Fox News)

New York City Judge Arthur Engoron, who is presiding over former President Donald Trump's civil fraud trial, has exclusively donated to Democrats, according to a report.

Engoron wields unique authority over Trump's civil fraud case. It is a jury-free bench trial, with Engoron overseeing it and ultimately determining its outcome and penalties. New York Attorney General Letitia James wants a $250 million penalty imposed on Trump's businesses after accusing him of fraudulent practices. 

Engoron, meanwhile, has shown support for Democrats with his checkbook in the past.

Engoron has given more than $5,000 to Democrats over the past 25 years, the Daily Wire first reported. The money has primarily gone to local committees; his most recent donation from 2018 went to Manhattan Democrats.

The money has also gone to Democrat candidates such as former New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, former Gov. David Paterson and other state lawmakers, the publication reported.

New York State Attorney General Letitia James' campaign pledge to sue former President Donald Trump and reportedly be a "real pain in the a--" to him should be considered an embarrassment, said George Washington University Law Professor Jonathan Turley.

Turley told "Hannity" on Wednesday that he previously criticized James while she was running for office in 2018 after she made such boasts and pledges about litigiously pursuing Trump.

Turley said he previously wrote about his reservations that there were "serious ethical problems with a prosecutor really trying to secure office on the pledge to nail one person."

He called James' promises a "trophy pledge" to "bag" her quarry.

Turley noted James never previously described exactly which criminal or civil offenses Trump would be charged with. In a montage of clips played by host Sean Hannity, James previously referenced threats to "fundamental rights," Trump's "abuses" and an interest in finding whether the then-president "laundered money."

"[N]ot mentioning what he might be charged with, [James said] I'm just going to charge him with something," Turley added.

"That should be an embarrassment to the entire New York bar," he said. "I think that [Alvin] Bragg should be an embarrassment. His case is, in my view, just ridiculous. It barely holds together."

MSNBC legal analyst and former Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Rebecca Roiphe slammed New York Attorney General Letitia James’ recent public condemnation of former President Trump outside of a New York City courtroom.

During a Thursday segment of "MSNBC Reports," Roiphe told host Ana Cabrera that James standing in front of cameras at a New York City courthouse and responding to Trump’s attacks against her and other prosecutors on Wednesday was a "tactical error."

"She should have remained silent and allowed him to open himself up to these sorts of arguments by others," Roiphe said in response to James’ claim that Trump was using the court case for a "political stunt."

James made waves Wednesday when she spoke to the press outside a New York City courtroom following day three of the civil fraud trial against the former president. She blasted him, saying, "Trump's comments were offensive. They were baseless. They were void of any facts and/or any evidence."

"What they were, were comments that unfortunately fomented violence, comments that I would describe as race-baiting, and comments unfortunately, that appeals to the bottom of our humanity," she claimed.

James added that the court is simply investigating Trump for "fraud" and claimed she "will not sit idly by and allow anybody to subvert the law." 

Court is now adjourned after the fourth day of former President Donald Trump's civil fraud trial in New York City.

Trump, who, along with his co-defendants, is accused of overvaluing his assets, is expected to move for a stay of the trial pending appeal of Judge Arthur Ergoron's decision last week that he committed fraud while building his real estate empire.

His legal team will likely submit the filing Friday morning.

The day closes after Trump also filed motions to dismiss two of his other pending cases: The election interference case in Washington, D.C., and the hush money case involving Stormy Daniels also in New York.

Former President Donald Trump lobbed a series of attacks againt New York Attorney General Letitia James on Thursday, sharing clips of her vowing to challenge and sue him.

Former President Donald Trump lobbed a series of attacks againt New York Attorney General Letitia James on Thursday, sharing clips of her vowing to challenge and sue him.

Trump has argued throughout the week that James is targeting him over political animus, labeling her "corrupt" and an "operative" for President Biden's re-election effort. He shared footage of James on the campaign trail in 2018 in which she denounces him as an "illegitimate president" and vows to sue him if elected.

"America is in uncharted territory. We are angrier and more divided than we have ever been at any point in our history since the Civil War," James says in the 2018 video. "At the eye of the storm is Donald Trump, ripping families apart, threatening women's most basic rights. I'm running for attorney general because I will never be afraid to challenge this illegitimate president."

"He should be charged with obstructing justice. I believe that the president of these United States can be indicted for criminal offenses. We would join law enforcement and other attorneys general across this nation in removing this president from office," she continues.

Trump later shared another compilation of her campaign appearances in which she repeatedly vows to sue him.

"THIS IS FROM 2018—WITCH HUNT!!" he captioned the post.

Former President Donald Trump's presidential campaign announced on Wednesday evening that it raked in a whopping $45.5 million during the July-September third quarter of 2023 fundraising.

The former president's political team also reported over $37.5 million in their campaign coffers as of the end of last month. The campaign reported large fundraising boosts following each of the four indictments that peppered Trump earlier this year.

Trump made a spectacle of the first three days of the Manhattan trial this week, repeatedly talking to the press outside the courtroom and complaining of political bias.

Trump argues that the lawsuit from New York Attorney General Letitia James is baseless and that she is only targeting him due to "corruption." Trump's team has pointed to comments James made during her 2018 election campaign promising to "get Trump" if she gained office.

Trump's fundraising the past three months is up from the roughly $35 million he brought in during the April-June second quarter of fundraising, which nearly doubled his haul from the first quarter of the year.

Fox News' Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report.

New York Attorney General Letitia James lashed out at former President Donald Trump for his comments surrounding his ongoing civil fraud trial in New York City late Wednesday.

New York Attorney General Letitia James lashed out at former President Donald Trump for his comments surrounding his ongoing civil fraud trial in New York City late Wednesday.

James called Trump's comments "dangerous and racist," and defended her case agains the former president. Trump has repeatedly complained that he is not allowed a jury in the trial, and he has argued that James only sued him due to political animus.

"Dangerous and racist comments will not deter me. The laws of this great state and nation apply equally to everyone, even Donald Trump," James added. "And it is my duty and my responsibility to ensure that the law is enforced and upheld. And I refuse to back down or to be bullied."

She went on to call arguments from Trump's defense team "baseless" and insisted that the trial is not a "witch hunt."

It is unclear what comments she was referring to as "racist," and she did not list any examples.

James has criticized Trump for making a spectical of the trial as he has spoken repeatedly to the media outside the courtroom. She also pointed out that he is not required to be in attendance.

Former President Donald Trump raged against Attorney General Letitia James and Judge Arthur Engoron on social media Thursday morning.

Trump claimed that he is the victim of a "rats nest of New York Democrat corruption," and called Engoron a "Trump hating judge." Turmp has maintained asteady stream of criticism for both Engoron and James throughout the prior three days of his trial.

"I’m in a rat’s nest of NEW YORK DEMOCRAT CORRUPTION, a reason so many companies are leaving New York, our Racist Attorney General filled a lawsuit whose facts and VALUATIONS are wrong, like $18,000,000 for Mar-a-Lago, when it is worth, perhaps, 100 times that amount, and numerous other properties, likewise, that this case is a political SHAM that should never have been brought. I DON’T EVEN GET A JURY - Therefore, a Radical Left Judge, who came up through Democrat Club System, will decide. It is not possible that he can be fair," Trump wrote.

"Every decision he makes has been a horror show. It is why I do the set asides with the media - To explain the case, and what is going on. Our CORRUPT, RACIST, & INCOMPETENT A.G., Letitia “Peekaboo” James, considered the WORST ATTORNEY GENERAL IN THE UNITED STATES, refused to bring this case under the respected “Commercial Division,” where judges understand Valuations and Real Estate. This Trump Hating Judge doesn’t. The Appellant Division must intercede, NOW!" he added.

Trump attended the first three days of his trial, but it is unclear whether he will arrive to the courthouse for day four.

Lawyers for former President Donald Trump called on a New York City judge to dismiss charges against him relating to alleged hush money payments to pornography star Stormy Daniels late Wednesday.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg filed the charges against Trump in the case earlier this year. Trump's defense team argues Bragg has only brought the charges because Trump is a political opponent.

“The indictment was filed six years after the conduct at issue, more than four-and-a-half years after DANY began to investigate it, and more than three years after DANY started presenting evidence to a grand jury,” Trump's lawyers wrote. “The delay has prejudiced President Trump, interfered with his ongoing presidential campaign, and violated his due process rights."

Trump has leveled similar bias accusations against New York Attorney General Letitia James, labeling her "corrupt" and an "operative."

Lawyers for former President Donald Trump have asked a judge to postpone his classified documents trial until after next year’s presidential election, even as he faces day four of his civil fraud trial in New York City.

Lawyers for former President Donald Trump have asked a judge to postpone his classified documents trial until after next year’s presidential election, even as he faces day four of his civil fraud trial in New York City.

Lawyers argued they have yet to receive all the records they need to review to effectively make Trump's defense.The case is one of four indictments against Trump. The former president is already dealing with business charges in New York City, but he also faces charges stemming from Georgia and Washington, D.C.

Trump's lawyers have pushed to delay trials across the board as Trump attempts to manage a 2024 presidential campaign as well as his many legal troubles.

Trump attended the first three days of his trial in Manhattan, where New York Attorney General Letitia James has accused him and his business partners of fraud.

The classified documents trial relates to Trump's possession of documents at his Mar-a-Lago resort and his subsequent refusal to turn them over to authorities.

New York Attorney General Letitia James had strong words for former President Donald Trump ahead of the fourth day of his fraud trial in New York City.

New York Attorney General Letitia James had strong words for former President Donald Trump ahead of the fourth day of his fraud trial in New York City.

James spoke with the press outside the Manhattan courtroom after proceedings ended Wednesday. She declared that she "will not be bullied," and pushed back agaisnt claims from Trump's team that she is poltically biased.

"This case was brought simply because it was a case where individuals have engaged in a pattern and practice of fraud, and I will not sit idly by and allow anyone to subvert the law," James said. "And lastly, I will not be bullied. So Mr. Trump is no longer here. The Donald Trump show is over."

Trump attacked James as "corrupt" on Wednesday, citing her promises on the 2018 campaign trail that she would "get Trump" once elected.

New York Attorney General Letitia James civil fraud charges against former President Donald Trump are an "embarrasment" to the New York State Bar, says Fox News Contributor Jonathan Turley.

Turley made the comments during a Wednesday evening appearance with Fox News host Sean Hannity. The attorney and legal scholar says James has been heavily political in the cases she chooses to prosecute since winning office in 2018.

"The question is, is this selective in targeting the Trump business?" Turley asked. "James has expressed very little interest in liberal organizations that have been accused of very similar conduct. She's gone after the NRA, she's gone after Trump. She's really developed this signature that she will use all the levers of her office to go against political opponents."

Trump himself has blasted James as "corrupt" throughout the first three days of his trial, which began Monday. Proceedings for the fourth day are scheduled to begin later Thursday morning.

Former President Donald Trump lashed out at President Biden over his handling of the U.S.-Mexico border ahead of the fourth day of Trump's fraud trial in Manhattan on Thursday.

Former President Donald Trump lashed out at President Biden over his handling of the U.S.-Mexico border ahead of the fourth day of Trump's fraud trial in Manhattan on Thursday.

In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Trump blamed Biden for halting construction of the border wall and causing the crisis at the southern border.

"Biden sees our country is being invaded," Trump said. "What is he going to do about the 15 million people from prisons, from mental institutions, insane asylums, and terrorists that have already come into our country?"

Trump complained on Wednesday that the Manhattan trial was blocking him from campaigning, blasting New York Attorney General Letitia James as "corrupt."

Trump attended the first three days of his trial and made regular comments to the press. It is unclear whether he plans to attend Thursday as well. Proceedings are scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

Fox News' Brooke Singman contributed to this report.

Brendan McDermid-Pool/Getty Images

Democrat New York Attorney General Letitia James said Wednesday she would "not be bullied" by former President Donald Trump, accusing him of "race-baiting" with the numerous sharp comments aimed at her throughout the now-three day civil fraud trial.

“I will not be bullied,” James told reporters gathered outside the Lower Manhattan courtroom following Trump's departure. “Mr. Trump is no longer here. The Donald Trump show is over. This was nothing more than a political stunt, a fundraising stop.”

“Mr. Trump’s comments were offensive, they were baseless,” she added, citing the "pattern and practice of fraud" as reason for the trial, and not the "political witch hunt" in which Trump has described.

On one occasion Trump referred to James as a "political animal."

“What they were, were comments that unfortunately fomented violence. Comments that I would describe as race-baiting,” James said.

Former President Donald Trump’s legal team filed a notice to appeal on Wednesday concerning Judge Arthur Engoron's ruling last week that he and his co-defendants were liable for fraud.

In his ruling, Engoron said that Trump and the Trump Organization committed fraud while building his real estate empire by deceiving banks, insurers and others by overvaluing his assets and exaggerating his net worth on paperwork used in making deals and securing financing.

The appeal was expected after Engoron said Tuesday that the ongoing civil fraud trial was not going to be used to litigate his past rulings, but would focus on lawsuit from Democrat New York Attorney General Leticia James.

Former President Donald Trump raged at the court's low valuation of his properties in the third day of his New York City civil fraud trial on Wednesday.

Former President Donald Trump raged at the court's low valuation of his properties in the third day of his New York City civil fraud trial on Wednesday.

Trump vented to reporters outside the courtroom, attacking Judge Arthur Engoron for valuing his Mar-a-Lago resort at $18 million when Trump argues its true value is "50 to 100 times more than that."

"The smallest house in Palm Beach is probably worth $50 million, and [Mar-a-Lago] is the biggest, the best anywhere in the country. So they put it down at $18 million and said I overvalued it," Trump said.

"And by the way, my financial documents are valued much less than my actual value, which no one even knows," he added. "But the financial documents we gave the bank are much less than my actual net worth."

Trump went on to cite the New York Law Journal, which he says "basically" stated that James and the state have "no case" against him.

He nevertheless said Engoron will side against him in the case because he is a "Democrat judge," and he has "no choice."

Former President Donald Trump warned that cases like the civil fraud charges against him in New York City are a signal of "the beginning of communism" on Wednesday.

Trump made the comments outside the Manhattan courtroom where his civil trial entered its third day on Wednesday.Trump has accused New York Attorney General Letitia James and Judge Arthur Engoron of political bias against him throughout the trial.

"If I had a jury, we’d win this case very easily, but I don’t have a jury. And you see, what’s happening. This is a railroading. And it’s the beginning of communism in our country. This is the beginning of communism," Trump said.

Trump blasted James earlier this week for centering her 2018 election campaign on a promise to "get Trump." She opened her investigation into the former president shortly after gaining office in 2019.

Trump has also called Engoron a "Democrat" and an "operative" due to his past campaign donations to the Democratic Party.

Former President Donald Trump declared his ongoing fraud trial in Manhattan is a "total witch hunt" as he exited the courtroom on the third day of the trial.

Former President Donald Trump declared his ongoing fraud trial in Manhattan is a "total witch hunt" as he exited the courtroom on the third day of the trial.

Trump made the comment to reporters after Judge Arthur Engoron decalred a 15-minute recess Wednesday morning. Trump has repeatedly attacked Engoron and New York Attorney General Letitia James for the lack of a jury.

James charged Trump under a civil statute that allows only for a judge to preside over the case.

"This trial is a total witch hunt and I should be entiteled to a jury," Trump said. "I have no rights to have a jury."

Prior to calling recess, Engoron warned that proceedings would begin strictly after 15 minutes, regardless of whether everyone was in the courtroom by that time.

Former President Donald Trump was visibly frustrated during proceedings on the third day of his fraud trial in New York City on Wednesday.

Former President Donald Trump was visibly frustrated during proceedings on the third day of his fraud trial in New York City on Wednesday.

Trump could be heard complaining to his attorneys about the lack of a jury in the trial, which is being presided over by Judge Arthur Engoron. Trump was seen writing aggressively during testimony from witness Donald Bender, and at one point commented loudly that Bender should speak more clearly into the microphone.

Trump has criticized New York Attorney General Letitia James for charging him under a civil statute that does not allow for a jury trial.

Judge Arthur Engoron was all business as media cameras entered the courtroom for the third day of former President Donald Trump's fraud trial in New York City on Wednesday.

Judge Arthur Engoron was all business as media cameras entered the courtroom for the third day of former President Donald Trump's fraud trial in New York City on Wednesday.

It was the first time Engoron allowed filming inside the courtroom since Monday, when he was captured laughing and posing for cameras. Conservatives blasted him over the light tone, arguing it supported Trump's claim that Engoron is a "Democrat" and poltically biased.

The courtroom footage shows Trump arrayed with his defense team to Engoron's right. Wednesday's proceedings will begin with a cross examination of Donald Bender, a witness for the prosecution.

Fox News contributor Joe Concha highlighted the differences in media coverage for former President Donald Trump's fraud case and Hunter Biden's gun charge on Wednesday.

Concha appeared on Fox & Friends and blasted CNN and other networks for appearing to downplay the charges against Biden. Several media figures have suggested that the Justice Department would not be pursuing the federal gun charge if his name was "Joe Smith."

Biden was arraigned in court on Monday as Trump's own fraud trial begain in New York City.

Former President Donald Trump raged against New York Attorney General Letitia James once again for charging him under a statute that prevents a trial by jury late Tuesday.

Trump complained that the fraud charges against him are only being used to hamper his 2024 election campaign. Trump did not name James, likely due to a gag order imposed by Judge Arthur Engoron on Tuesday.

"It is so unfair that I am being tried under Section 63(12), which is unconstitutionally being used to punish me because I am substantially leading Crooked Joe Biden in the polls. It is a Consumer Protection Statute, and not meant, at all, for Election Interference purposes, which is what this is all about! Under this Section of the law, I am not even entitled to a JURY (there is no checking of a box alternative!).This was done by Radical Left Marxists design, and is not the America we know. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" Trump wrote.

Trump is expected to attend the third day of his trial in Manhattan later Wednesday.

Former President Donald Trump is no longer wealthy enough to rank in Forbes' list of the top 400 richest Americans, according to this year's annual ranking.

Forbes released its annual list on Tuesday, placing Trump's net worth at $2.6 billion, nearly a full billion dollars lower than the magazine's estimate of his worth last year at $3.2 billion.

The development comes as Trump is on trial for alleged fraud in New York City. New York Attorney General Letitia James argues the former president fraudulently inflated the value of his properties. One of her witnesses, Michael Cohen, claims Trump sought to overvalue his properties in part because he wanted to rank "higher on the Forbes list."

Trump is expected to attend the third day of his trial in Manhattan later Tuesday.

Trump legal spokeswoman Alina Habba described where former President Donald Trump's case stands after the second day of his trial in New York City on Tuesday.

Habba joined Fox News host Sean Hannity Tuesday evening, blasting New York Attorney General Letitia James' case. She argued that Trump never indented lenders to take his company's valuations at face value, as it is standard practice for them to conduct their own assessments.

She stated that James' attack on Trump is no different from going after a homeowner who listed their home for one price only for it to sell below that initial mark.

Trump is expected to join Habba for the third day of his trial in Manhattan later Wednesday.

Fox News Host and former judge Jeanine Pirro blasted Judge Arthur Engoron for his handling of Former President Donald Trump's fraud case in New York City on Tuesday.

Pirro reacted to footage of Engoron stating that it is difficult to remove emotion from the equation as a judge and that judges should have full immunity for what they do in courtrooms.

"When this guy says it's hard to factor out the emotions--Judge, that's what you do, and if you can't do that then you don't belong on the bench," Pirro said.

Republican lawmakers have floated former President Donald Trump as a potential candidate for House Speaker even as he faces the third day of his fraud trial in New York City.

Congressional Republicans are foundering after Rep. Kevin McCarthy's, R-Calif., ouster on Tuesday. The drama coincides with Trump's own trial in Manhattan, and multiple House Republicans have vowed to nominate him for the speakership.

Texas Rep. Troy Nehls said in a statement Tuesday afternoon his first order of business when the House reconvenes "will be to nominate Donald J. Trump for Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives."

Rep. Greg Steube, R-Fla., followed suit in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Tuesday evening: "@realDonaldTrump for Speaker."

The next speaker does not technically have to be a current sitting member of the House, but every speaker in U.S. history has been.

Fox News' Jamie Joseph contributed to this report.

Former President Donald Trump is expected to attend the third day of his civil trial in NYC.

The civil trial against former President Donald Trump, his family and his business empire will continue Wednesday, with more witness testimony as New York Attorney General Letitia James seeks to make her case that the Trump Organization fraudulently overvalued its assets.

Trump attended the first two days of the trial this week, and is expected to attend Wednesday as well.

The court is expected to reconvene Wednesday morning after New York Judge Arthur Engoron imposed a partial gag order preventing all parties from engaging in any verbal attacks against court staff after the former president criticized a member of the judge’s office on social media.

The gag order applies to both the Trump team and James' team. The gag order only applies to verbal attacks on staff after a "defendant" posted to social media a "disparaging, untrue and personally identifying post about a member of my staff."

Engoron added Tuesday afternoon that "personal attacks on members of my court staff are unacceptable, not appropriate" and warned they would not be tolerated.

Engoron's statement was referring to a post Trump made on social media attacking law clerk Allison Greenfield.

Fox News' Brooke Singman contributed to this report.

Former President Donald Trump has departed the courthouse in lower Manhattan following the end of proceedings for the second day in his civil fraud trial.

It's unclear if Trump will attend court tomorrow.

Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images

Judge Engoron has issued a gag order in the Trump civil fraud trial after Trump posted about the judge's clerk, Allison Greenfield.

The now-deleted post included a photo of Greenfield with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., at a past event, which Trump references as "palling around."

Engoron didn't specifically name Trump, but said a defendant in the case "posted to a social media account a disparaging, untrue and personally identifying post about a member of my staff."

"Personal attacks on members of my court staff are unacceptable," Engoron said. "Consider this statement a gag order forbidding all parties from posting emailing or speaking publicly about any of my staff."

Former President Donald Trump has re-entered the New York courtroom for his civil fraud trial after a brief recess.

As he entered, he turned to the media cameras set up outside and said, "It was a very good day in court. Thank you very much."

Trump has been in and out of the courtroom a handful of times throughout the second day of the trial.

Democrat New York Attorney General Letitia James also reentered the courtroom at the end of the recess.

Former President Donald Trump flashed a thumbs up to the cameras as he walked past them to return to the Manhattan courtroom where he is on trial for fraud charges Tuesday.

Trump and his lawyers walked in and out the courtroom several times after Judge Arthur Engoron called a lunch recess. Proceedings the set to pick up again at 2:15 Eastern Time.

Trump's brief interaction with reporters coincided with news that House Speaker Kevin McCarthy may lose his speakership in a House vote. Trump made no indication that he was reacting to the news, however.

Trump supported McCarthy's bid for the speakership earlier this year and called on Republicans to support him.

Judge Arthur Engoron appeared to chide former President Donald Trump's defense attorneys for repeatedly making objctions on Tuesday.

The incident came when Engoron allowed New York Attorney General Letitia James' prosectors to admit a document that was beyond the statute of limitations for Trump's fraud trial. The statute of limitations in this instance means Trump cannot be convicted of fraud that may have taken place before 2015.

Prosecutors have nevertheless introduced evidence dating back to 2011. Engoron has allowed them to do so on the condition that they demonstrate it is relevant to an alleged fraud incident within the statute of limitations.

While Engoron has made his stance clear, Trump's attorneys have chosen to obeject each time prosecutors introduce such a document. They rebuffed Engoron's remark on the objections as well, telling him they will continue the practice.

Engoron declared a lunch recess until 2:15 p.m. soon after the exchange.

Former President Donald Trump declared that his trial is a "scam" as he re-entered the courtroom on his second day litigating the case.

Former President Donald Trump declared that his trial is a "scam" as he re-entered the courtroom on his second day litigating the case.

Trump made the comment to reporters as the first recess of the day ended. New York Attorney General Letitia James has charged Trump with fraudulently overvaluing his assets during business negotiations.

Trump's defense team argues that the Trump organization repeatedly urged partners to conduct their own value assessments of Trump's properties, however. They have also stated that there are no victims of Trump's alleged fraud.

"They were paid, made money, there was no fraud. They are all happy. In many pages it says, you must understand, you must do your due diligence.  Do not rely on anything," Trump said. "This case is a scam. There can't be fraud when you tell institutions to do their own work."

Trump is likely to comment further on the case later when Engoron declares a second recess.

Donald Trump left the courtroom without talking to reporters during the first recess of day 2 of his trial.

Former President Donald Trump brushed past members of the press without stopping to talk as he exited the courtroom for recess on the second day of his fraud trial.

Trump was seen exiting the room followed by his attorney, Alina Habba. New York Attorney General Letitia James and her entourage remained inside the courtroom, however.

Day two of Trump's fraud trial has centered on the testimony of businessman Donald Bender, who focused on financial records dating back to 2011, which fell outside of the statute of limitations.

Judge Arthur Engoron, who is presiding over the non-jury civil trial, said the questioning was a "waste of time" unless James' office could tie it back to something within the statute of limitations--something James' office promised to do Tuesday.

Trump's defense team has objected to prosecutors entering evidence from prior to 2015 due to the statute of limitations. Engoron has said he will continue to allow that evidence to be presented so long as it can be connected to something within the limitations.

Critics say Judge Arthur Engoron's ruling that former President Donald Trump deceived banks and insurers could endanger the Empire State's status as a business capital.h

Former Bush Deputy Assistant Attorney General John Yoo said on FOX News Monday that the case could also put Trump "out of business" in the city most synonymous with his real estate empire.

Engoron, a Democrat, ruled prior to Monday's court date that Trump overvalued assets and exaggerated his net worth, in response to a civil suit by New York Democratic Attorney General Letitia James.

Yoo noted that people like Engoron and James, whose roles are established to be more legal than political, are elected partisan offices, and Engoron's district – which comprises Manhattan – houses mostly Democrats.

"But what people should ask is are what they're doing in the best interests of the people of the state? Is it a good idea for the state of New York, on behalf of its people, to use its vast law enforcement powers to go after and single out President Trump for things where nobody is claiming they were harmed? No one claims they were actually defrauded," Yoo said on "America Reports," adding that no banks appear to claim damages against the former president.

Fox News' Charles Creitz contributed to this report.

Members of former President Donald Trump's legal team have begun arriving to the Manhattan courthouse where he will face his second day on trial.

Prosecutors and defense lawyers strolled past packed media cameras in the lobby of the courthouse. They are scheduled to begin arguing before presiding Judge Arthur Engoron at 10 a.m. Eastern Time.

police officers could be seen blocking members of the media from accessing the courtroom itself.

Trump and his attorneys have repeatedly attacked New York Attorney General Leititia James for leveling charges against him. They argue she has targeted Trump for political reasons, citing her promises on the campaign trail in 2018 that she would "get Trump" if elected.

Trump has also labeled Engoron a "Democrat" and an "operative."

Former President Donald Trump said New York Attorney General Letitia James is targeting him with a "rarely used" and "very unfair" law in an attempt to convict him of fraud on Tuesday.

Trump made the claim on his Truth Social account barely an hour before he was scheduled to appear for the second day of his fraud trial in Manhattan. He argues that the law in question allows defendants to be convicted of fraud even if there was no discernable victim of their crime.

"The rarely used Executive Law that the N.Y.A.G. is proceeding under is VERY UNFAIR, and being used against me for that reason. NY Executive Law 63 (12) does not require a victim, traditional elements of fraud are eliminated (the only such law!), the law allows a politically elected partisan prosecutor to convince a politically elected judge, who may be friends, to destroy even a Political Opponent. This law may not be Constitutional and is not FAIR, and that is why terrible A.G. James chose it to use against me!!!" Trump wrote.

The post is only the latest salvo Trump has launched against James and Judge Arthur Engoron, both of whom he has denounced as biased partisans and political opponents.

The ongoing fraud trial against Donald Trump in Manhattan is only the latest "witch hunt" against the former president, Fox News host Sean Hannity says.

Hannity blasted NY Attorney General Letitia James and her team of prosecutors after the first day of the trial concluded on Monday.

"The United States – our justice system – is supposed to investigate crimes, not target people. Those days seem to be long gone. That is a travesty for this country. You might as well take the Constitution and shred it. We don't have equal justice in application of our laws. Donald Trump has been targeted in a series of cases, starting with the Trump-Russia hoax that we debunked here on this show, and everybody else in the media mob was lying about and peddling conspiracy theories about and by the way, you got all these, you know, for indictment, state, federal level, all perfectly timed. Amazing," Hannity said.

"They could have done it much earlier, but no, let's bring it up in the middle of an election season and let's put them on trial in 2024 and frankly, interfere and disrupt the presidential election. Now, this has never, ever, ever, not once in history, ever happened to this country that a former president had been indicted once, never mind four times," he added.

Trump is scheduled to return to the Manhattan courthouse for day two of his trial later Tuesday.

The image of former President Donald Trump's civil fraud case looks like New York is trying to keep Trump in the courtroom instead of on the campaign trail, says FOX News contributor Jonathan Turley.

Turley said the factors that look good for him are that New York  Attorney General Letitia James ran on "bagging Trump," something Trump's defense team has repeatedly highlighted.

"the optics here are really good for Trump and he knows it. And even the image of his being brought into yet another New York courtroom leaves this impression of prosecutors daisy-chaining cases to keep him in court rather than being on the campaign trail," Turley said.

Trump is scheduled to appear for day two of his trial later Tuesday. His defense team has already raised complaints that they have been blocked from requesting a jury trial.

It is unclear how long Trump will keep attending the daily courtroom dramas, however, as the proceedings are likely to drag on.

Donald Trump speaks at the Manhattan courthouse.

Former President Donald Trump targeted New York Attorney General Letitia James with an online rant just hours before he is scheduled to appear in a Manhattan courtroom for the second day of his fraud trial.

Trump argued that James had provided "false and ridiculous" information to Judge Engoron indicating that the former president's net worth was far lower than it actually is. He called on Engoron to "terminate" his initial ruling of fraud.

"Now that it has been agreed in Court that Mar-a-Lago is WORTH 50 to 100 times the Value the Racist & Incompetent Attorney General of New York State, Letitia “Peekaboo” James, ascribed to it (18 Million Dollars), & likewise other assets that were valued crazily low by this “Monster” that has allowed Violent Crime in New York to reach EPIDEMIC levels, and dangerous illegal migrants to roam free all over our State, we hope the Judge will TERMINATE his first ruling of fraud in that he was given false and ridiculous information by the Trump Deranged Lunatic, A.G. James. In actuality, I am WORTH FAR MORE than the numbers put down on the Financial Statements, not less. In addition, there is a far reaching and professionally drawn Disclaimer Clause boldly stated on the FIRST PAGE OF THE DOCUMENT. This entire case should be thrown out and dismissed. The A.G. should be reprimanded and sanctioned for bringing this case with its FAKE LOW VALUES, in order to make me look bad. Election Interference!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The court is expected to reconvene Tuesday with James' office tying testimony from its first witness, Donald Bender of accounting firm Mazars USA LLP, to its overall case. Bender's testimony focused on financial records dating back to 2011, which fell outside of the statute of limitations.

Engoron said the questioning was a "waste of time" unless James' office could tie it back to something within the statute of limitations--something James' office promised to do Tuesday. 

Staffers for former President Donald Trump were seen arriving to the Manhattan courthouse where Trump is on trial with a gargantuan McDonald's order on Monday.

The food order for Trump's legal team was too large for one staffer to carry, with the pair lugging at least six large bags from the Golden Arches into the courthouse. Trump's famous order from McDonald's is a Big Mac, Filet-o-Fish, fries and a vanilla shake.

Trump is poised to return to the courthouse for a second day of proceedings later Tuesday, though it is unclear whether he will have the same cravings for lunch.

Former President Donald Trump says his team was prevented from getting a jury trial

Former President Donald Trump's team is complaining that they cannot have a trial by jury in the ongoing fraud case against Trump in New York City.

A spokesperson for Trump tells Fox News Digital that Attorney Generl Letitia James prevented Trump's team from requesting a jury trial via the nature of the charges against him.

"The Attorney General filed this case under a consumer protection statute that denies the right to a jury. There was never an option to choose a jury trial. It is unfortunate that a jury won't be able to hear how absurd the merits of this case are and conclude no wrongdoing ever happened," the spokesperson said.

Trump attorney Alina Habba complained Tuesday mornign about reports in the media that Trump's team had not requested a jury trial. Some commentators had alleged that Habba and Trump's other attorneys had simply forgotten to :"check a box" requesting such a trial.

"They brought this under a consumer fraud statute. It has never been used in this way for a reason, because this judge who oversaw the special proceeding has given them everything they wanted, effectively for years. They wanted to keep it in this division as opposed to the commercial division where we would have had a normal judge. So no, everyone, I didn't forget to check a box," Habba told Fox & Friends on Tuesday morning.

Trump attorney Alina Habba declared the first day of former President Donald Trump's fraud trial a success as she and her team prepared for day 2 on Tuesday morning.

Habba appeared on Fox & Friends to summarize the first day of proceedings, saying Judge Engoron had dismissed roughly 80% of the case against Trump due to the statute of limitations.

Habba said acknowedling the expiration of the statute of limitations was a "step in the right direction" for Engoron, who Trump has blasted as a "Democrat" and an "operative."

Habba went on to say that prosecutors in the case are seeking to give Trump the "corporate death penalty," a punishment that would prevent the former president from conducting business in new york. That result would essentially dissolve the Trump Organization.

Conservatives are lashing out against Judge Arthur Engoron for grinning and posing for photos in the courtroom as former President Donald Trump defends himself against fraud charges.

Engoron could be seen with a wide smile on his face as the first day of proceedings got underway on Monday. Conservatives on social media immediately reacted with outrage, with one observer denouncing him as a "partisan Democrat clown."

"Just smiling and laughing as they turn our country into a third world banana republic," State Freedom Caucus Network Comms Director Greg Price posted on X.

"Democracy disappearing right before our eyes…," Trump adviser Stephen Miller wrote in response to Price’s post.

The former president dismissed Engoron as a "Democrat" and an "operative" in a brief appearance in front of reporters. Trump stated that "this is a rigged court" in his heated statement. He also took aim at Attorney General Letitia James, labeling her a "radical-left attorney general."

Read more here on Judge Engoron's behavior in the courtroom.

Donald Trump is expected to carry on his outraged tone into Tuesday's proceedings. He left the courtroom multiple times Monday to complain to reporters outside that both Judge Engoron and James are politically biased.

The civil trial against former President Donald Trump, his family and his business empire will continue Tuesday with more witness testimony as New York Attorney General Letitia James seeks to make her case that the Trump Organization overvalued its assets.

Trump attended the first day of the trial Monday and is expected to return Tuesday.

The court is expected to reconvene with James' office tying testimony from its first witness, Donald Bender of accounting firm Mazars USA LLP, to its overall case. Bender's testimony focused on financial records dating back to 2011, which fell outside of the statute of limitations.

Judge Arthur Engoron, who is presiding over the non-jury civil trial, said the questioning was a "waste of time" unless James' office could tie it back to something within the statute of limitations--something James' office promised to do Tuesday.

Trump is expected to carry on his outraged tone into Tuesday's proceedings. He left the courtroom multiple times Monday to complain to reporters outside that both Judge Engoron and James are politically biased.

Read more here on how Tuesday's proceedings are expected to play out.

Fox News' Brooke Singman contributed to this report.

Former White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany blasted New York Attorney General Letitia James as "politically motivated" during a Monday appearance on Fox News.

McEnany commented on former President Donald Trump's first day in a Manhattan courtroom on trial for fraud charges leveled by James.

McEnany highlighted a lack of other cases similar to Trump's in New York, arguing that Trump's last name is the true reason for his coming under fire.

Bender testified that he frequently interacted with Jeffrey McConney, controller for the Trump Organization, to prepare statements of financial conditions, which he said are what one would call a balance sheet.

The information would be put into an engagement binder, he said. McConney or a member of his team would send an early draft of the statement and send back-up schedules to cross reference to make sure numbers were correct, said Bender. 

Bender said he had to make sure the numbers on the statement they sent would match the numbers going into a spreadsheet. During his testimony, he was shown an engagement letter for financial conditions for Trump for 2011 signed by Allen Weisselberg, who was the chief financial officer for the Trump Organization at the time.

In January, Weisselberg was sentenced to five months in prison for tax crimes. 

Bender testified he didn’t take any measures to ensure the information provided was true. He only raised an issue if something glaring stood out, he said. 

The Trump Organization was responsible for meeting generally accepted accounting procedures, he said. Bender answered “yes” when asked if there were GAAP exceptions in multiple instances between 2011-2020. 

He said the Trump organization made the decision for a GAAP exception each time.      

The New York Attorney General’s office called its first witness once court resumed for the afternoon session after a lunch break.

Donald Bender, from the accounting firm, Mazars USA LLP, spent several years preparing Trump’s tax returns. Bender testified last year that Trump’s reported losses for 2009 and 2010 totaled around $900 million. 

Former President Donald Trump (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

The former president was deposed in Manhattan in April 2023. Trump invoked his Fifth Amendment rights during his first deposition in August 2022. He has denied any wrongdoing and has said the investigation is politically motivated and a "witch hunt."

New York State Attorney General Letitia James' investigation into Former President Donald Trump began in 2019 when she took office.

Trump’s deposition in New York City in April came a week after his unprecedented arraignment in a court in lower Manhattan. Trump pleaded not guilty to 34 felony counts of falsifying business records in New York.

The charges, which are related to hush-money payments made during the 2016 presidential campaign, came out of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg's years-long investigation.

Bragg alleged that Trump "repeatedly and fraudulently falsified New York business records to conceal criminal conduct that hid damaging information from the voting public during the 2016 presidential election."

Trump has slammed Bragg’s investigation and the indictment as "Political Persecution and Election Interference at the highest level in history."

NY AG Letitia James (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

On September 21, 2022, after AG Letitia James filed a lawsuit against Trump and several of his family members, as well as associates and businesses, James said at a news conference:

"Mr. Trump and the Trump Organization repeatedly and persistently manipulated the value of assets to induce banks to lend money to the Trump Organization on more favorable terms than would otherwise have been available to the company to pay lower taxes, to satisfy continuing loan agreements, and to induce insurance companies to provide insurance coverage for higher limits and at lower premiums."

James said that over the course of her office's years-long investigation, they interviewed 65 witnesses and reviewed millions of documents. She said the evidence showed that Trump submitted "more than 200 false and misleading asset valuations."

The misrepresentations included stating that Trump had cash on hand that he did not have and ignoring restrictions that would impact property values, James said.

"Claiming you have money that you do not have does not amount to the art of the deal, It's the art of the steal," James said, referencing the title of Trump's 1987 book.

New York Attorney General Letitia James declared that "justice will rpevail" as she entered the courthouse where former President Donald Trump is facing fraud charges on Monday.

James arrived with her legal entourage Monday morning and briefly spoke in front of the media. She accused Trump of fraudulently inflating the value of his businesses and his net worth and stated that "no one is above the law."

Trump himself arrived to the courthouse soon after James. The case is one of four indictments he is currently facing. Authorities have also leveled separate charges out of Florida, Georgia and Washington, D.C.

He is the first U.S. president to face a federal criminal indictment.

Donald Trump (AP Photo/José Luis Villegas, Pool, File)

Judge Arthur Engoron ruled in late September that Former President Donald Trump and his company committed fraud while building his real estate empire after New York Attorney General Letitia James accused the former president of overvaluing his assets.

Engoron ruled that Trump deceived banks, insurers and others by overvaluing his assets and exaggerating his net worth.

James alleged that Trump "inflated his net worth by billions of dollars" and said his children helped him to do so.

A New York State Appeals Court rejected Trump’s request to delay the civil trial.

Engoron ordered that some of Trump’s business licenses be rescinded as punishment, making it difficult or impossible for them to do business in New York. The judge said he would continue to have an independent monitor oversee the Trump Organization’s operations.

The ruling comes out of James' lawsuit in which she alleged that Trump "inflated his net worth by billions of dollars" and said his children helped him to do so.

Donald Trump withdrew a second lawsuit in January against New York Attorney General Letitia James related to her investigation into his and his family's business dealings.

Trump sued James in December 2021 in an attempt to block her from investigating him and his businesses.

Trump’s lawyers and James’ office agreed January 25, 2023 to a stipulation ending an appeal that had sought to reverse a judge’s decision to dismiss the lawsuit. 

Trump voluntarily dismissed that lawsuit after a federal judge in Florida, Donald M. Middlebrooks, accused him of a "pattern of abuse of the courts" for filing frivolous lawsuits for political purposes, including what he said was a bogus lawsuit against Trump’s 2016 rival Hillary Clinton and others.

Trump’s lawyer, Alina Habba, said the appeal in Manhattan federal court "was voluntarily withdrawn for strategic purposes," according to The Associated Press. 

"I am pleased that Donald Trump has withdrawn both of his pending actions against my office," James said in a statement on the same day. "As we have shown all along, we have a legitimate legal case against him and his organization, and we cannot be bullied or dissuaded from pursuing it."

Donald Trump's eldest daughter, Ivanka Trump (Ivanka Trump)

A New York Appeals Court narrowed Letitia James’ civil lawsuit against the Trump family in late June. Ivanka Trump was dismissed as a defendant and decided that the statute of limitations would prevent the eldest daughter of Former President Donald Trump from suing for alleged fraud.

The Appellate Division in Manhattan decided that James can no longer sue for alleged transactions that occurred before July 13, 2014 or Feb. 6, 2016.

"The Appellate Division decision today represents the first step towards ending a case that should have never been filed," a Trump spokesperson told Fox News Digital of the June 27, 2023 ruling. "The correct application of the law will now limit appropriately the previously unlimited reach of the Attorney General." 

The Trump spokesperson added: "Going forward, we remain confident that once all the real facts are known, there will be no doubt President Trump has built an extraordinarily successful business empire and has simple done nothing other than generate tremendous profits for those financial institutions involved in the transactions at issue in the litigation."

Former President Donald Trump lashed out against Judge Arthur Engoron on Social Media late Sunday night, claiming the judge was intentionally underestimating Trump's net worth.

"Judge Engoron’s Valuation of Mar-a-Lago, the most spectacular property in Palm Beach, Florida, IS FRAUDULENT! He states a value of 18 Million Dollars, knowing full well that it is worth, perhaps, 50 to 100 times that amount. Engoron is working diligently to misrepresent me, and my net worth, which is substantially MORE than is shown on my fully “disclaimed” Financial Statements. I have not even included my most valuable asset - BRAND!" Trump wrote on Truth Social.

"He should resign from the “Bench” and be sanctioned by the Courts for his abuse of power, and his intentional and criminal interference with the Presidential Election of 2024, of which I am leading all candidates, both Republican & Democrat, by significant margins. Likewise, Letitia James should resign for purposeful and criminal Election Interference. She is fully aware that Mar-a-Lago, and other assets, are worth much more than what she is claiming. Both of these Democrat Operatives are a disgrace to New York, and to the United States of America!" Trump continued.

Trump said in August 2022 that he invoked his Fifth Amendment rights, per the advice of his attorneys, during his deposition as part of James’ civil investigation, calling it an "unfounded politically motivated Witch Hunt" and adding that he had "no choice" due to the Biden administration and prosecutors across the nation having "lost all moral and ethical bounds of decency."

In a statement on August 10, 2022, Trump said: "What Letitia James has tried to do the last three years is a disgrace to the legal system, an affront to New York State taxpayers, and a violation of the solemn rights and protections afforded by the United States Constitution." 

"I did nothing wrong, which is why, after five years of looking, the Federal, State and local governments, together with the Fake News Media, have found nothing," Trump said. "We cannot permit a renegade and out-of-control prosecutor to use this investigation as a means of advancing her political career. New York deserves better, and this Country deserves better. This is a vindictive and self-serving fishing expedition, the likes of which our Country has never seen before."

"The United States Constitution exists for this very purpose, and I will utilize it to the fullest extent to defend myself against this malicious attack by this administration, this Attorney General’s Office, and all other attacks on my family, my business, and our Country," Trump said.

An Appeals Court rejected Trump’s request to delay the non-jury civil trial, presided over by Judge Arthur Engoron. The beginning of the trial is scheduled for Monday in Manhattan.

The former president and 2024 GOP frontrunner is listed among dozens of possible witnesses. The first deposition took place in August 2022, but Trump invoked his Fifth Amendment rights. He was deposed again in April as part of the lawsuit and answered questions during that deposition.

Trump has denied any wrongdoing and has said the investigation was politically motivated and a "witch hunt." He has argued that his assets are worth far more than what is listed on annual financial statements, and argued the statements have disclaimers.

"I have been unfairly sued by the Trump Hating Democrat Attorney General of New York State, Letitia James, over the false fact that I inflated my Financial Statements in order to borrow money from Banks, etc. The Judge in the case, Arthur F. Engoron, refused to allow this case to go to the ‘Commercial Division,’ where it belongs, because he is a Trump Hater beyond even A.G James who campaigned against me spewing horrible inflammatory statements which are False & Defamatory," Trump posted Tuesday on his Truth Social after Engoron's ruling. "I am not even allowed a Jury!"

Trump went on to say the "facts of this case are simple."

Donald Trump's attorney, Alina Habba (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Alina Habba, former President Trump's attorney, is currently the Managing Partner of Habba Madaio & Associates LLP based out of Bedminster, New Jersey.

Habba is licensed to practice in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, the United States District Court for the Districts of the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, and the Supreme Court of the United States, according to her website.

Trump's spokeswoman's website also reads, "Alina has experience in many areas of litigation including, but not limited to, corporate litigation and formation, commercial real estate (transactional and litigation), family law, the financial services industry and construction-related matters."

She has previously called the indictments against Trump a "ploy" and "election interference." Furthermore, during a July appearance on "Fox News Sunday" with Shannon Bream, Habba said, "He is the most ethical American I know" with regard to Former President Trump.

On "Sunday Morning Futures" with Maria Bartiromo,' Habba accused Democrats of using indictments as distractions ahead of the next election saying, "They're afraid" and "It's not gonna work."

"There were no victims!" Donald Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform in late September after Judge Arthur Engoron rejected his request to delay the trial. "On the front page of the financial statements there is a strong ‘disclaimer clause’ telling all not to rely on these financial statements."

Trump said the disclaimer clause "tells anyone reviewing the data, including financial institutions, to do their own research and analysis —it is a non-reliance clause, and could not be more clear."

"Additionally to my being worth far more than is shown in the ‘fully disclaimed’ financial statements, again, not putting down a value for my biggest asset, brand, the company has hundreds of millions of dollars in cash, and very little debt," Trump said. "It is a great company that has been slandered and maligned by this politically motivated Witch Hunt."

He added: "It is very unfair, and I call for help from the highest Courts in New York State, or the Federal System, to intercede. THIS IS NOT AMERICA!"

New York Attorney General Letitia James (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

Trump filed a lawsuit in Florida on November 2, 2022 against Letitia James, whom he called "crooked and highly partisan" and claims is abusing her position to "recklessly injure" him, his family, and his business. He also claimed she was attributing to a "war of intimidation and harassment."

"Today, I filed a lawsuit in Florida State Circuit Court against the corrupt Attorney General of New York State, Letitia ‘Peekaboo’ James," Trump wrote in an email to his supporters back in November 2022.

In the statement, Trump added: "Crooked and highly partisan James now thinks it is the business of the state of New York to go after my revocable trust and pry into my private estate plan, only to look for ways to recklessly injure me, my family, my businesses, and my tens of millions of supporters."

The former president used similar language in the lawsuit, in which he alleged James was pursuing "a relentless, pernicious, public, and unapologetic crusade" against him "with the stated goal of destroying him personally, financially, and politically."

Attorney Chris Kise joined former President Donald Trump's legal team.

Former Florida Solicitor General Christopher Kise joined Former President Donald Trump's legal team in August 2022.

"Chris has successfully argued four cases before the United States Supreme Court and filed briefs in more than a dozen cases before the high court," his law firm's biography says. "He has also handled and been involved in dozens of cases before the Florida Supreme Court, and in state and federal appellate courts across the country."

Kise's trial and appellate litigation practice "extends throughout the United States, representing individuals, private and public corporations, and government entities," the bio continues.

"Well, I mean, the president is resolved, he's resilient, he's really ready to fight these charges" Kise said on 'Jesse Watters Primetime' in early April.

Kise is representing Trump on multiple cases and spoke with Watters following special counsel Jack Smith's indictment of Trump alleging improper storage of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago home, saying, "I think he's very disappointed for our country."

Donald Trump and Letitia James, side-by-side photo (AP)

New York Attorney General Letitia James made history when she won in 2018 and took office in January 2019 as the first Black woman elected to statewide office, the state’s first Black attorney general and the first woman elected to the post.

She successfully secured a second term in 2022 when she beat Republican Michael Henry.

James began investigating Former President Donald Trump almost immediately when she first took office in 2019. When Trump was serving as Commander in Chief, James sued his administration dozens of times. She has previously regarded Trump a "con man," ″carnival barker" and "fear monger."

In November 2022, Trump sued James and claimed she was abusing her position.

"Today, I filed a lawsuit in Florida State Circuit Court against the corrupt Attorney General of New York State, Letitia ‘Peekaboo’ James," Trump wrote in an email to his supporters.

In the statement, Trump added: "Crooked and highly partisan James now thinks it is the business of the state of New York to go after my revocable trust and pry into my private estate plan, only to look for ways to recklessly injure me, my family, my businesses, and my tens of millions of supporters."

Eric Trump in New Jersey (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

Eric Trump previously reacted to his father's New York City indictment in a March interview with Sean Hannity where he exhausted that people like Alvin Bragg and Letitia James campaign on the promise to 'take down a person'.

"You have Letitia James who's out there, 'I'm gonna go after his family, I'm gonna sue the hell out of the man,'" Eric said. "I mean, this is, these people are evil. They're wicked."

Eric, who serves as the executive vice president of the Trump Organization, was questioned by James’ office in October 2020. A judge forced him to testify after his lawyers abruptly canceled a previously scheduled deposition, according to The Associated Press. 

James issued subpoenas in January 2022 for Donald Trump Jr. and Ivanka in connection with the civil investigation into the family’s business practices.

James said at a news conference in September 2022 after she filed the lawsuit in New York Supreme Court that Trump "inflated his net worth by billions of dollars" and that his children, Donald Jr., Ivanka and Eric, helped him.

Ivanka was dismissed as a defendant in late June.