The judge in former President Donald Trump's New York fraud case lost his temper during Wednesday's trial, slamming his hand on the bench.
Justice Arthur Engoron's outburst came after Trump's lawyers insisted that they needed to go through the former president's financial recording with its accounting firm year by year.
Judge at Trump’s NY civil fraud trial slams hand on bench, loses his cool during testimony: ‘This is ridiculous!’ https://t.co/Z1ZWr0lvuL pic.twitter.com/iYThGH1Fqt
— New York Post (@nypost) October 4, 2023
“This is ridiculous!” Engoron said, hitting his hand on the bench. “Mr. Bender isn’t on trial here,” referring to the accountant involved.
"Another Trump attorney, Christopher Kise, said the only things Bender 'seems to recall are what the government wants him to recall.'"
Trump lawyers go after accountant, appeal major pretrial ruling in New York fraud case https://t.co/onhf6Kz3d5 pic.twitter.com/XG8LeqHjlp
— FOX 2 Detroit (@FOX2News) October 4, 2023
"Warned to mind his out-of-court comments, former President Donald Trump returned to his New York civil fraud trial Wednesday as his defense lawyers closely questioned an accountant who prepared financial statements at the heart of the case," the Associated Press reported.
"Outside the courtroom, Trump’s lawyers appealed a key pretrial ruling that Trump engaged in fraud by inflating the values of prized assets including his Trump Tower penthouse," it added.
Trump back in court as fraud trial probes who was responsible for his financial statements https://t.co/ptudO56al2
— Doug Teper (@repteper) October 5, 2023
"The pretrial ruling that’s now under appeal could cost him control of Trump Tower and some other properties. At the trial, James is seeking a $250 million penalty and a prohibition on Trump doing business in New York," a separate AP report explained.
"At the heart of the case are the 'statements of financial condition,' yearly snapshots of Trump’s wealth that were given to banks, insurers and others," it noted.
The latest outburst by the judge also reveals concerns Trump has shared about the bias in the case.
The judge also drew attention for posing for cameras on the first day of the trial, triggering many Trump supporters who blasted the attention-seeking online.
The latest court drama is just one of several cases Trump faces as he seeks a return to the White House. In addition to the New York case, he faces over 90 charges in Washington, Georgia and Florida despite leading in national polls in recent weeks in a potential rematch against President Joe Biden.
