Losing (It) Bigly

Trump began speaking in the courtroom from the defense table, claiming the civil investigation is a “political witch hunt” and that he should actually receive damages. Judge Engoron let Trump continue before then saying he had one minute left. He then cut him off and urged his…

— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) January 11, 2024

NBC:

Speaking from the table sitting next to his lawyers, Trump denied all wrongdoing while Engoron quietly listened. Trump maintained that banks “got all their money back” and “they weren’t defrauded” while repeating his call to receive damages “for what we’ve gone through.” 

The former president accused James’ office of not providing one document proving her allegations that he had inflated his financial statements and argued that the case presents a “situation where I'm an innocent man.”

“The legal scholars looking at this case find it disgraceful,” he said, adding, “This is a fraud on me.” 

Trump continued railing against James, saying, “The person in the room right now hates Trump.” 

“They found nothing and now she comes in and says she wants to make a $250 million fine a [$370 million], for what?!” he said, adding that James has her own agenda and “can’t listen for more than one minute.” 

Engoron directly asked Trump: “Haven't you been sued before? Isn’t that a problem?” 

“They should pay me for what we’ve gone through — reputation and else,” Trump said.

Lisa Rubin:

Lawyer Kise asked for permission to have Trump speak. 

Engoron replied, “Do you promise to just comment on the facts and the law?” 

Trump started talking immediately without agreeing. 

.... 

Trump went on — without any interruption from Engoron or James' team — and attacked James, accusing her of election interference. 

“You have your own agenda,” Trump angrily said to Engoron. “You can’t listen for more than one minute!” 

There may be a reason that James' staff didn't interrupt. The AG’s office may have struck gold because some of what Trump said was so damaging to him, especially his explanation of the triplex square footage “error.”

Closing arguments? No jury? Everything Trump said (and did) was damaging to his case. And then he stormed out in a rage. No time to mourn, either.

Trump will hold a news conference at 2:30 p.m. ET at his property at 40 Wall St. 

That will mean Trump won't be in the courtroom while the attorney general's office gives its closing arguments.

Any resemblance to a petulant child is purely on Trump. Any idea that he is fit to be POTUS is purely fantasy.