Former President Donald Trump is facing accusations of lying under oath during his testimony in a $250 million fraud trial. New York Attorney General Letitia James alleges that Trump inflated the value of his assets by billions of dollars to mislead banks and lenders.
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Trump's Testimony Contradicts Previous Statements
During his testimony, Trump made a number of statements that contradicted previous statements he had made about his assets. For example, he claimed that he had no knowledge of how his financial statements were prepared, even though he has signed off on them for years.
Trump also claimed that he did not know how much his assets were worth, even though he has frequently bragged about his wealth. These contradictions led James' lawyers to argue that Trump was deliberately trying to mislead the court.
Trump Claims Not to Remember Key Details
In addition to contradicting himself, Trump also claimed to not remember key details about his businesses. For example, he said that he could not recall how much he paid for certain properties or how much debt he had.
James' lawyers argued that Trump's memory lapses were convenient and that he was simply trying to avoid answering difficult questions. They also pointed out that Trump has a history of making false statements.
James: Trump's Testimony "Not Credible"
In her closing arguments, James argued that Trump's testimony was "not credible" and that he should be held accountable for his actions. She said that Trump had "willfully and knowingly" inflated the value of his assets and that he had done so in order to deceive banks and lenders.
"Mr. Trump is a master of self-promotion," James said. "He has spent his life exaggerating his wealth and his accomplishments. But in this case, his lies have real consequences."
Trump's Lawyers: Trump Was Honest
Trump's lawyers argued that Trump had been honest in his testimony and that he had not inflated the value of his assets. They said that Trump had simply used different methods of valuing his assets, which is a common practice in the real estate industry.
Trump's lawyers also argued that James' case was politically motivated and that she was simply trying to embarrass the former president. They said that there was no evidence that Trump had committed fraud.
The Jury Will Decide
The jury is now deliberating the case and will decide whether Trump is guilty of fraud. If found guilty, Trump could face significant financial penalties, including fines and damages. He could also be barred from doing business in New York.
The trial is being closely watched by the public and could have implications for Trump's political future. If found guilty, Trump could face calls to resign from any future political offices.
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