Donald Trump arrives for New York civil fraud trial that could deal major blow to ex-president’s real estate legacy

Donald Trump went on trial on Monday for fraud, in a civil case against him and his family business that could deal a major blow to the former US president’s real estate empire.
Kevin Wallace, a lawyer in state Attorney General Letitia James’ office, said in his opening statement that Trump described his finances to banks and insurers in a “materially inaccurate way” for a decade.
Trump, the front runner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, is accused by James of inflating the value of his assets by billions of dollars to secure better loan and insurance terms.
“This is a continuation of the single greatest witch hunt of all time,” Trump said before entering the courtroom at a state court in downtown Manhattan.
“We have a great company. I built a great company. It’s tremendous,” he continued. “It’s got some of the greatest real estate assets in the world. And now I have to go in before a rogue judge.”
Trump wore a dark blue suit, a brighter blue tie and an American flag pin on his lapel.
He again called James, who is Black, “racist,” and said the Democrat had a vendetta against him.
James said her office was ready to prove its case.

“No matter how much money you think you may have, no one is above the law,” James told reporters before entering the courtroom. “The law is both powerful and fragile. And today in court will prove our case.”
Trump plans to attend the first week of trial in state court in Manhattan, according to a court filing in an unrelated case.
“I’m going to Court tomorrow to fight for my name and reputation against a corrupt and racist Attorney General, Letitia James, who campaigned on “getting Trump,” and a Trump Hating Judge who is unfair, unhinged, and vicious in his PURSUIT of me,” Trump said on Sunday night on his social media platform Truth Social.

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