Trump in conflict with judge at New York fraud trial

Monday, a combative Donald Trump repeatedly clashed with a judge in a New York civil case over fraud that threatens to destroy his real estate empire.

The former US president took the witness stand as a defendant in a lawsuit for the first time in more than a century. He complained that this "very unfair" and "crazy" trial is being conducted by Democrats "attacking him from all sides. "

77-year-old Trump, dressed in a dark blue suit and tie with an American flag on his buttonhole, took the oath of office to begin his testimony. Trump, his eldest sons Don Jr.

Trump has denied allegations that he falsified the company's financial statements and said banks paid little attention to the documents. He also claimed that the value of his "Trump brand" was not factored into the valuation of his real estate.

Before his testimony, Trump, who is leading in the race for the Republican nomination in the 2024 election, spoke to reporters outside the courtroom, denouncing the case as "election interference".

It should be noted that Trump has testified twice before in this case, but in closed sessions. Trump and his sons are not at risk of going to jail, but they face fines of up to $250 million and possible forfeiture of control of the family company.

This civil fraud case is one of several lawsuits Trump faces as he seeks to return to the presidency. He also faces a trial in March on charges of conspiracy to overturn the results of the 2020 election, which he lost to President Joe Biden.