Trump's fraud trial: what you need to know

Former President Donald Trump appeared in a Manhattan court on the opening day of the civil case against him and his campaign, where he attacked the judge and the New York state attorney general at every possible turn. Trump's court appearance turned into a continuation of a campaign trail where he railed against four criminal charges against him and now, a civil case in which Judge Arthur Engoron ruled last week that Trump and his respective defendants were liable for fraud.

Inside the courtroom, Trump's attorneys also argued with the judge during the opening of the hearing, indicating that they are likely to take a combative approach to the process that the judge expects,''Which will last through December. Here's what you need to know about the first day of Trump's trial.

Trump's appearance in Manhattan court

Trump's appearance in a Manhattan courtroom turned into a spectacle of his own making. While he didn't have to appear, the former president used the opportunity to bolster his campaign. The New York attorney general's case is civil, not criminal, but it threatens his business in New York, and Trump's appearance underscored that he views it as important as other cases brought against him in other states and federal courts.

In front of cameras and on his social media site, Trump attacked Attorney General Letitia James for filing a lawsuit against''him. He attacked the judge for last week's ruling. And he tried to link them to criminal charges brought by special prosecutor Jack Smith, though they had nothing to do with them. "It has to do with election interference, plain and simple," Trump said before entering the courtroom. "They're trying to hurt me so I don't do as well as I do in the election.

The trial and further controversy

T Trump's appearance also brought him face-to-face with Letitia James, who sat in the courtroom Monday. When he first entered the courtroom, Trump avoided meeting eyes with the New York attorney general, though he looked in her direction as he left for lunch. At the end of the day, Trump complained that he was being held back from campaigning, though he''their companies, and whether they could be barred from engaging in commercial real estate transactions in New York or taking out loans from New York banks. The attorney general's lawyer plans to prove six additional allegations at trial, including falsifying business documents, issuing false financial statements and insurance fraud.

With the former president present, Trump's attorneys argued Monday that the attorney general's case is not well-founded, saying the differences in appraisals are simply part of the commercial real estate business. Trump's attorney Christopher Kays argued that there was no intent to commit fraud and "no victims" in the case. He pointed to documents from Deutsche Bank showing that the bank'''We rely on the Trump Organization,'' Engoron said. "That's my understanding of that." "No, your honor," Hubba replied, arguing that the Trump Organization was relying on Mazars and "they are accountants. "

The statute of limitations and further disputes

Late Monday, Engoron questioned whether the lengthy testimony about the 2011 financial documents was a "waste of time" because the statute of limitations applicable to the case expired in 2014. That's something to watch ahead, as Trump and his lawyers say they may drop much of the case because of the statute of limitations.

These exchanges suggest that the upcoming trial will be contested, especially when the outcome of the case is decided''A judge, not a jury.

Source: CNN