Donald Trump's real estate fraud trial begins in New York: What you missed.
Former President Donald Trump was the star of a fiery trial opening in New York on Monday morning that may shine a light on how much money the real estate mogul turn politician is really worth.
In a civil trial expected to last three months, lawyers will try to determine how much Trump and his companies will be penalized for the fraud. Last week, a New York judge ruled that he committed fraud for years while building his real estate empire.
New York Attorney General Letitia James is seeking $250 million in damages. Potential witnesses include Trump, his children and former business associates.
Trump unexpectedly announced that he would attend the first day of the trial ahead of his courtroom appearance, a move he's opted against in recent trials. While the former president hasn't testified in the case yet, Trump and his allies did spend the day targeting James, the judge in the case, and other officials, particularly as he seeks his second term in the White House.
Catch up on the first day of Trump's real estate fraud case here as USA TODAY's reporters answer your questions.
What is Donald Trump actually accused of? Here's what to know about the fraud case against him
Judge Arthur Engoron is deciding on six claims in this case, including conspiracy to falsify business records, issuing false financial statements and insurance fraud.
But if you're following along with statements from attorneys or testimony from witnesses in the case and it seems complicated, you're not alone. Legal experts warned on Monday that because the judge in the case will decide Trump's fate, not a jury, it could enter complicated territory. The case will likely focus on financial disclosures and other specific legal questions.
The trial is also expected to stretch on for months as prosecutors seek to prove that the former president and the Trump Organization committed fraud across Trump's real estate empire.
– Marina Pitofsky
Trump team vilifies judge
Trump and his allies have targeted the judge in the civil case, Judge Arthur Engoron, in messages on social media and in public statements. Most of the attacks have focused on Engoron’s surprised reaction to being filmed before the trial started. He did allow television cameras and photographers into the courtroom briefly Monday morning.
It's not the first time Trump has hit out at legal officials involved in his criminal and civil trials. He has often targeted the judges and prosecutors in his four criminal indictments handed down this year. His criticisms have ranged from calling on officials to recuse themselves to personal attacks about the individuals themselves.
– David Jackson
First witness takes the stand in Trump's fraud case
Donald Bender, the New York attorney general’s first witness in the case, was Trump's accountant at Mazars USA, an accounting firm.
Bender testified that he previously compiled financial statements for the Trump Organization, a clarification meaning that he didn't necessarily analyze the information, just assembled it, CNN reported.
“If I saw something that didn’t make sense to me, or bothered me, I would ask (a client) about it,” Bender testified.
While Trump's attorneys objected to some documents from Mazars, Judge Arthur Engoron overruled the effort as he weighs the evidence against the former president.
– Marina Pitofsky
Court is back in session: Key moments from the morning
Opening statements have concluded in the New York trial of the former president, who has been accused of pumping up his net worth to get a better deal on loans.
Trump is back in the courtroom, seated with his defense attorneys. During a lunch break, he blasted the judge, arguing that he should be disbarred.
The trial is one of several that Trump will face over the next year. Catch up below on the case's proceedings so far.
? Holly Rosenkrantz
Supporters, protesters absent from fraud case
If Donald Trump was hoping for a big crowd of supporters, or even protesters, outside his civil trial, he'll be very disappointed.
The sidewalks around the New York courthouse are nearly empty, except for the media.
Quite a contrast with his April proceedings, when hundreds gathered at Trump’s arraignment to protest a New York state indictment on hush money charges.
? David Jackson
Who's the first witness in the case?
Donald Bender, who served as a tax consultant for the Trump Organization, will be the first witness, according to multiple reports.
Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and other close business advisors to the Trump organization are listed as potential witnesses. That doesn't necessarily mean they'll testify, but they could be called to answer questions before the court.
? Marina Pitofsky
Trump attorneys take aim at Michael Cohen
Multiple lawyers for the former president and his employees criticized Michael Cohen, Donald Trump's former attorney, during the trial on Monday.
Clifford Robert, an attorney speaking on behalf of Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., argued that Cohen isn't a reliable source for information about the Trump Organization.
“When you talk about credibility, you’re going to have a guy who lies to everyone, who is a convicted felon,” Robert said, according to multiple reports.
Cohen was sentenced to prison in December 2018 after pleading guilty to campaign finance charges and lying to Congress, in addition to other crimes.
– Marina Pitofsky
Trump: ‘Rigged court’ wrong about Mar-a-Lago value
Waving paper in the air during a lunch break in the trial, Trump quoted a statement from Palm Beach County officials challenging the judge’s interpretation of the value of the Mar-a-Lago and said the fraud ruling should be overturned.
“This is a rigged court,” Trump said of the judge, who he argued should be disbarred and driven from office.
He said anyone who does business in New York State is “crazy” because of the potential for adverse rulings such as his. “This guy’s getting away with murder,” Trump said of the judge.
Asked why he attended the trial in person, Trump said, “I wanted to watch this witch hunt myself.”
–Bart Jansen
Will Trump testify in the case?
The former president isn't expected to testify for several weeks at least.
But he has given a peek into how he might try to defend himself: Trump has argued that New York Attorney General and other officials are undervaluing some of his assets, such as Mar-a-Lago, his Florida resort.
Other people in Trump's orbit are also expected to testify, including his two oldest sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, Trump Organization employees and more. Trump's former attorney Michael Cohen, who is now a vocal critic of the former president, is also a potential witness.
– Associated Press
Who is the judge at Trump’s trial, Arthur Engoron?
The New York judge presiding over Trump’s civil fraud trial, Arthur Engoron, drove a taxi while in college, played in a band while working as a litigator and law clerk, and protested the Vietnam War.
His biography often plays into humorous asides in his written decisions. Engoron peppers his rulings with quotes from Bob Dylan and Shakespeare and movies like “City Slickers” and the Marx Brothers classic “Duck Soup.”
Now Engoron deciding how to penalize Trump, after ruling he committed fraud for years while building his real estate empire. Engoron is a few years younger than Trump and spent his early hears in Queens, New York, about four miles from Trump’s childhood home.
Trump, who is listed as a potential witness and could end up face-to-face with Engoron in court, called the judge's fraud ruling “the corporate death penalty.” He referred to Engoron as a “political hack" and said his would appeal.
– The Associated Press
What's at stake in Trump's fraud case?
What could happen to the former president and his company if he loses this case? New York Attorney General Letitia James is seeking $250 million in penalties and a ban on Trump doing business in New York.
But a ruling against Trump, if upheld in court, could force the former president to give up a slate of high-profile properties in New York, including Trump Tower, a Wall Street office building, golf courses and a suburban estate.
Trump has called the potential punishments "a corporate death penalty."
– Associated Press
What time is Trump's trial today?
Trump's trial began at 10 a.m. ET and end at 4:30 p.m.. This is the schedule every day except Fridays, when the trial adjourns at 1 p.m. so the judge can focus on other court business.
The trial is expected to last three months.
– Holly Rosenkrantz
Another New York trial is still ahead for Trump
Trump has a busy calendar ahead for potential courtroom appearances. This is not his only civil case.
Trump is scheduled to go to trial again in January in a defamation lawsuit from E. Jean Carroll. The Justice Department earlier this year said the former president is not immune from a second defamation suit from Carroll that is pending against him over comments he made about her during his presidency. A jury had found Trump liable in a civil case for sexually abusing Carroll in the 1990s and defamation.
Trump is also facing criminal charges in separate indictments in DC, Georgia, and Florida
– Holly Rosenkrantz
Trump, allies shown in videos during opening statements
The New York attorney general's office played several depositions in the courtroom on Monday, featuring Eric Trump, Donald Trump Jr. and Donald Trump speaking about financial statements, corporate accounting and more.
During Trump's deposition, he was asked whether Allen Weisselberg, his former longtime chief financial officer, was responsible for a slate of financial statements,.
"I would say yes," Trump said.
Attorneys also played a deposition from Trump's former attorney, Michael Cohen, about documents he said he was involved in preparing before the former president's first term in the White House. Cohen claimed Trump wanted to be ranked higher on lists created by Forbes and accused Weisselberg of inflating assets to reach that goal.
– Marina Pitofsky
Trump's lawyers say he told the truth
Defense lawyer Christopher Kise in his opening statement told the court that Donald Trump's financial statements were true, pointing to Trump’s decades-long business career.
“He has made a fortune, literally, being right about real estate investments,” Kise said.
– Associated Press
Trump's opponents: 'Someone is rattled'
Donald Trump's opponents have a different take on his appearance in court today - he's scared and getting desperate.
"Middle of the night rant against the judge and 'Racist' AG (He only calls black people 'racist') hours before his appearance in court," the organization Republicans Against Trump said on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter. "Someone is rattled."
The Lincoln Project, another anti-Trump political organization, put out a digital ad saying Trump knows he is "broke and busted." Rick Wilson, co-founder of the Lincoln Project, said “Trump’s empire of lies is collapsing" and his "organization is being taken away from him."
Wilson added: "This loser is facing the pressure now and there’s no one he can look to for help.“
– David Jackson
Opening arguments against Trump
This civil case brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James accuses Trump and his company of tricking banks, insurers and others by repeatedly lying about his wealth.
“They were lying year after year after year,” Kevin Wallace, a lawyer in James’ office, said in an opening statement, while Trump sat at a defense table.
Wallace also placed blame squarely on Trump on Monday, saying “Every estimate was determined by Mr. Trump.”
– Associated Press
Trump trial live: What claims is Trump facing?
Judge Arthur Engoron will decide on six claims in this case. They include:
Conspiracy to falsify business records
Issuing false financial statements
Falsifying business records
Insurance fraud
Conspiracy to falsify false financial statements
Conspiracy to commit insurance fraud
– Marina Pitofsky
Alina Habba, Eric Trump: Who's with Donald Trump today?
The former president entered the New York courthouse on Monday with attorney Alina Habba, his son Eric Trump and Jason Miller, a strategist.
He was joined by additional attorneys and others, according to multiple reports.
– Marina Pitofsky
NY Attorney General Letitia James: ‘We have proven that Donald Trump lied about his net worth’
Before the trial began, Attorney General Letitia James reiterated her position that Trump for years “falsely inflated his net worth to enrich himself and cheat the system.”
James said the government won much of its case last week, when the judge ruled Trump engaged in years of fraud, so the trial will determine whether Trump is banned from doing business in New York and whether he will have to pay hundreds of millions in damages.
“We have proven that Donald Trump lied about his net worth to enrich himself and cheat the system,” James said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. “No matter how rich or powerful you are, in America, there are consequences for breaking the law.”
– Bart Jansen
What is Trump actually accused of in this case?
In this case, Trump and his company are accused of of deceiving banks, insurers and others by lying about his wealth in disclosures.
Judge Arthur Engoron has ruled that Trump repeatedly committed fraud. There's no jury in the case, so the judge will decide on six other claims against the former president and his company.
New York Attorney General Letitia James is seeking $250 million in penalties, as well as a ban on Trump doing business in the state. The judge’s ruling could force Trump to give up New York properties such as Trump Tower, a Wall Street office building, golf courses and a suburban estate.
– Associated Press
Cameras in the courtroom just before Trump's trial
The judge did allow television and photographers into the courtroom - for a little while, before the hearing began.
A television camera caught Trump at the defense table, James in the front row, and Judge Engoron on the bench before a photographer pool was escorted out of the room.
Per usual, the trial itself is not being televised.
– David Jackson
Trump's appearance in court is not required – and probably political
Donald Trump doesn't have to be in a New York City courtroom today. He chose to be, probably for political reasons.
Defendants in civil cases don't have to appear at trial in person. Indeed, Trump did not show up earlier this year for a sexual assault lawsuit filed by writer E. Jean Carroll.
This time around, however, Trump traveled to the courthouse with campaign aides as part of his entourage. At the same time, the campaign sent out fundraising emails, casting this lawsuit as part of an effort to derail his 2024 presidential campaign.
Trump himself condemned the lawsuit (again) with an 8-minute campaign-style statement to reporters at the courthouse. After days of rumors, Trump confirmed he would attend the trial in a Truth Social post late Sunday night.
"I’m going to Court tomorrow morning to fight for my name and reputation," he said.
– David Jackson
Trump claims ‘no crime’ in fraud case
Donald Trump on Monday called the fraud case “election interference” and said no crime was committed. There is no evidence officials have targeted the former president's reelection bid.
Trump argued that his properties are more valuable than appraisers or assessors found. He accused the attorney general and judge of corruption and said no crime was committed.
“It’s a scam. It’s a sham. My financial statements are phenomenal,” Trump said. “There was never a default, there was never a problem. There was no crime.”
– Bart Jansen
Who is Judge Arthur Engoron? An ex cab driver ex Vietnam protestor who has has ruled on everything from free speech to zoning
The judge in Trump's trial, Arthur Engoron, has overseen hundreds of cases, ranging form free speech debates to zoning fights to custody battles.
A former taxi cab driver who protested the Vietnam War, Engoron has been on the bench for more than two decades.
Engoron is a Democrat and has ruled against Trump many times in the three years he has presided over the lawsuit by New York Attorney General Letitia James.Trump has attacked Engoron on social media -- a practice that has gotten him in trouble in some of his other legal cases. Engoron has declined to comment on Trump's critiques.– Associated Press
Trump blasts civil lawsuit, NY attorney general and Judge Engoron
Candidate Trump spoke briefly to reporters before the hearing, again claiming that the legal action against him is all political.
"This is a continuation of the single greatest witch hunt of all time," Trump said, an unproved claim he makes at every other 2024 campaign stop.
Claiming he has always submitted legitimate property valuations, Trump attacked the attorney general and judge in the case as politically motivated.
He called the legal proceeding "a scam" and "a sham."
– David Jackson
Trump vows to fight fraud ruling
Trump’s lawyers vowed to challenge the judge’s ruling Tuesday that he committed fraud in valuing properties in the real estate empire in order to get better rates on loans.
Trump in particular disputed the Palm Beach County tax assessor’s value of Mar-a-Lago, which ranged from $18 million to $27 million, from 2011 to 2021. Trump continued to insist the property is worth 50 to 100 times more than that.
The judge “is working diligently to misrepresent me, and my net worth, which is substantially MORE than is shown on my fully ‘disclaimed’ Financial Statements,” Trump said in a post on Truth Social. “I have not even included my most valuable asset - BRAND!”
– Bart Jansen
Why isn’t Ivanka Trump part of the lawsuit?
The trial is the result of a $250 million lawsuit New York Attorney General Letitia James filed against Trump and several of his companies.
Other defendants named in the case were executives in the company such as his sons, Eric and Donald Trump Jr., Allen Weisselberg and Jeffrey McConney.
Trump’s daughter, Ivanka, wasn’t named as a defendant. But government lawyers have named her as a potential witness in the trial to determine what damages Trump and the companies must pay as a result of the fraud.
Government lawyers didn’t have to say what they would ask her.
– Bart Jansen
Letitia James: ‘We won the foundation of our case’
Early Monday, Attorney General Letitia James reiterated her position that Trump for years “falsely inflated his net worth to enrich himself and cheat the system.”
“We won the foundation of our case last week and proved that his purported net worth has long been rooted in incredible fraud,” James said in a statement, adding that she looked forward to “demonstrating the full extent of his fraud and illegality during trial.”
– Bart Jansen
Is Trump's trial being televised?
An opening item of business for Trump's civil case: Whether to allow broadcast of the proceedings.
News organizations have asked Judge Arthur Engoron to allow cameras into the courtroom, at least for opening statements. No word yet on how the judge will decide, but the trial is expected to open at the top of the hour.
– David Jackson
Is Trump going to jail?
No, today the former president is facing a civil trial to determine how much he and his companies will be penalized for fraud. New York Attorney General Letitia James is seeking $250 million in damages.
That's different than the four sets of criminal charges that Trump faces.
He has been charged on the federal level with allegedly mishandling classified documents after he left office and attempting to steal the 2020 presidential election. In Georgia, he also faces allegations of trying to steal the 2020 race for the White House, and in New York state, he's accused of perpetrating a hush money scheme. Those cases to carry potential prison sentences.
– Marina Pitofsky
Donald Trump leaves for the courthouse, media in tow
As television cameras whirred, the former president departed Trump Tower en route to the courthouse.
Broadcast choppers tracked the motorcade as it snaked south through the streets on Manhattan, just as they all did earlier this year as Trump went to a courthouse to plead not guilty to criminal charges in New York involving hush money.
Again, an army of media awaits Trump at the courthouse for this civil trial.
– David Jackson
A game of monopoly?
Like a game of Monopoly, Trump may be forced to sell off his iconic properties under a New York judge's ruling that he committed fraud for years while building his real estate empire.
At stake is whether the former president will have to shutter or break up his namesake Trump Organization and sell off those famous properties ? and whether he will have to pay millions.
Last week, New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron canceled Trump's business certificates by ruling he committed fraud for years through "pure sophistry," a "fantasy world" of real-estate valuations that "can only be considered fraud."
He ruled that Trump companies often valued properties far higher than appraisers or tax assessors. Trump testified that a disclaimer on property values given to lenders meant they knew the estimates were “worthless," according to the decision.
Government and defense lawyers have 30 days to submit proposals for who should manage what happens under the judge's ruling.
Language accompanying Trump's estimated values acknowledged they “are not necessarily indicative of the amount that could be realized.” In a sworn deposition, Trump called it the “worthless clause” for stating property values are uncertain.
“I think it had very little impact if any impact on the banks,” Trump said. “I felt it was a meaningless document.”
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump real estate fraud case begins in New York: recap
