Donald Trump was seen shaking his head during Michael Cohen’s testimony in his business fraud trial in New York City. New York Attorney General Letitia James has sued Trump for $250 million, accusing him of inflating his net worth by billions of dollars to obtain benefits such as better bank loans and reduced tax bills between 2011 and 2021.
Trump maintains his innocence in the case, accusing prosecutors of targeting him for political purposes. The lawsuit is civil, not criminal, meaning that Trump will not face jail time in this case. New York Judge Arthur Engoron ruled last month that Trump, his adult sons, their businesses, and executives committed fraud and will now decide on six other accusations, including falsifying business records, insurance fraud, and conspiracy claims during the trial. Cohen’s testimony appeared to draw a reaction from Trump, as reported Politico journalist Erica Orden. Cohen was onetime a Trump ally but turned on him after serving a sentence for allegedly helping make hush payments to adult film actor Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
He served a three-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to charges including lying to Congress, tax crimes, and campaign finance violations. Trump has displayed other signs of displeasure throughout the civil trial. During real estate appraiser Doug Larson’s testimony last week, Trump threw his hands up in the air and began to speak with his attorneys after Larson said he “undershot” the value of a Trump-owned building by $114 million. Engoron reminded him to “be quiet when the witness is testifying.” Trump has also faced backlash from Engoron for violating a gag order imposed on him that limits his ability to discuss the case.
