Judge at Trump trial pounds his fist in frustration with defence lawyer

The judge overseeing Donald Trump's civil fraud trial pounded his fists in frustration with the former U.S. president's lawyers on Wednesday for what he described as redundant and "ridiculous" cross-examination of a witness.

The heated exchange occurred on the third day of trial in a lawsuit by the New York attorney general's office that threatens to dismantle Trump's business empire over allegations that he inflated his net worth by billions of dollars to secure better loan and insurance terms.

On Tuesday, Justice Arthur Engoron imposed a gag order on public statements about court staff after Trump took to social media to lash out at the judge's top law clerk.

Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, has denied wrongdoing and said the case is part of a political witch hunt.

He has already disciplined Trump's lawyers for making what he said were "frivolous" arguments.

"This is ridiculous," Engoron said on Wednesday as one of Trump's lawyers repeatedly asked his onetime accountant the same questions for each year at issue in the case.

"All I'm asking is that you lump things together so we do not waste time," Engoron said.

Engoron alone will decide the outcome of the trial.The judgesaid Monday that neither side sought a jury and that state law doesn't allow for juries when lawsuits seek not only money, but a court order setting out something a defendant must do or not do.

New York Attorney General LetitiaJames is seeking $250 million in penalties and a ban on Trump doing business in New York.

WATCH | Trump angry and agitated as trialgets underway:

Trump's New York fraud trial shows combative defendant

1 year ago

Duration 2:37

Happening before the cameras, the world saw a combative Trump at a civil fraud trial in New York. The state's attorney general is accusing him of inflating the value of his assets by billions of dollars to secure massive loans.

Trump, who is voluntarily taking time out from the campaign trail to attend the trial, was present in court for the third straight day.

Hehas repeatedly attackedJames and Engoron in remarks to reporters outside the courtroom, calling them "corrupt" and decrying the case as a "fraud and a sham."

"He already knows what he's going to do," Trump said of Engoron on Wednesday.

He was next expected to return to the courtroom when he's called to testify, likely several weeks from now.

Engoron ruled last week that Trump, his two adult sons and 10 of his companies committed fraud by inflating the value of their assets.

The judge cancelled the business certificates for companies controlling jewels of Trump's portfolio, including Trump Tower and 40 Wall Street in Manhattan. He said he would appoint receivers to oversee the dissolution of those entities.

Trump's lawyers appealed the decision on Wednesday.

The trial, which is expected to run through mid-December, largely concerns damages.

James is seeking at least $250 million US in fines, a permanent ban against Trump and his sons, Donald Jr. and Eric, from running businesses in New York, and a five-year commercial real estate ban against Trump and the Trump Organization.

WATCH | What could happen if Trump loses his case?

Trump faces huge financial hit if he loses N.Y. fraud case, ex-prosecutor says

1 year ago

Duration 0:56

Former U.S. president Donald Trump went on trial in New York on Monday accused of generating more than $1 billion US by lying about his real estate empire. Beyond the $250 million US in fines sought by state Attorney General Letitia James, the case could also cost Trump his prized N.Y. properties, says former U.S. prosecutor Joseph Moreno.

Trump also faces four criminal indictments over his attempts to overturn Democrat Joe Biden's 2020 presidential election victory, his handling of classified documents after he left the White House, and hush money paid to a porn star.

Trump has denied wrongdoing and pleaded not guilty in all of the cases. He also faces a January civil damages trial for defaming a writer who accused him of rape, which he denies.