Trump Set To Deliver Own Closing Argument At Civil Fraud Trial

Former President Donald Trump is planning to deliver his own closing argument on Thursday in his New York civil business fraud trial in addition to his legal team's summations, AP reported citing two people familiar with the highly unusual plan.

New York Attorney General Letitia James has filed a case in which Trump is a defendant. She has alleged that his net worth was artificially inflated by billions of dollars on financial statements. These statements played a role in securing business loans and insurance.

Earlier this week, an attorney representing Trump informed Judge Arthur Engoron of the former president's intention to address the court during the closing arguments. The judge approved this plan, as reported by two individuals who spoke to The Associated Press.

Both sources disclosed this information anonymously since they were not authorized to speak to reporters, the report said.

As of late Tuesday, Trump was unwilling to accept any pre-conditions, leaving uncertainty about the proceedings in the courtroom on Thursday, CNN reported citing a source.

Another source mentioned that Trump's legal team is actively preparing for the former president to participate in the summation.

The former president has denied any wrongdoing, openly criticizing the case throughout a spirited day of testimony, on social media, and in verbal statements within the courthouse. On his Truth Social platform in recent days, he labeled the case a "hoax," dismissed the prolonged proceedings as a "pathetic excuse for a trial," and openly criticized the judge and attorney general, both of whom are Democrats.

However, delivering a summation presents a different challenge.

While it is uncommon for defendants with legal representation to personally provide summations, some individuals choose to represent themselves. Trump, being non-lawyer himself, has multiple attorneys.

ABC News was the first to report Trump's intention to deliver his closing argument.

As per the complaint, Trump, along with his two adult sons and his company, are facing allegations of defrauding banks and insurance companies by inflating the value of the former president's assets to secure more favorable rates. Judge Engoron has previously determined Trump's liability for fraud, and he is currently deliberating on damages and six additional claims in the bench trial.

Throughout the 11-week trial, Trump has frequently clashed with Judge Engoron. In the opening week, the judge imposed a gag order, prohibiting comments about his staff, after Trump posted social media attacks on the judge's clerk.

Trump incurred two fines for violating the gag order, with the judge even bringing him to the witness stand to address comments made outside the courtroom, where he complained about a "person who is very partisan sitting alongside" the judge.