Donald Trump Jr and brother Eric arrive at Manhattan courthouse
Donald Trump Jr and his brother Eric are already at the Manhattan courthouse where both are expected to take the stand today, MSNBC legal analyst Lisa Rubin reports.
NEW: Good morning from the New York civil fraud trial against Donald Trump, where Don Jr. and Eric just breezed by me in the security line. The trial day starts at 10 am again. I’ll be here & on @msnbc all day.
— Lisa Rubin (@lawofruby) November 2, 2023
Key events
Here are some images coming through the newswires of the Manhattan courthouse where Donald Trump Jr and his brother Eric have arrived, as well as New York attorney general Letitia James:
Lauren Aratani
Here is the latest dispatch from the Guardian’s Lauren Aratani who is back inside the Manhattan courthouse to bring us key moments from today’s hearing:
As much of a draw Donald Trump Jr being on the witness stand may seem, I’m inside the courthouse this morning, and the media presence – like yesterday – is much thinner than on days when Donald Trump shows up to court himself. Instead, the long lines of people waiting to get in are people who were called for jury duty. Ultimately, it’s the former president who seems to be what attracts all the cameras.
And that’s no surprise. Trump Jr taking the stand yesterday was his first appearance in court. As much as he enjoys mimicking his father in making incendiary political statements, he has not been making much of a show outside of the courtroom.
Even inside of it, Trump Jr has shown little of the hostility his father has shown in front of the judge. Trump Jr has been amiable on the stand so far, though he talks quickly and has claimed to not recall much when asked specific, potentially incriminating questions.
But much of his testimony so far has been slowly establishing the role that he played within the Trump Organization, serving as a trustee on his father’s trust and playing a key role in making licensing deals overseas. Prosecutors today will likely hone in on trying to get Trump Jr to respond to financial documents at the center of the case, though it is unclear how cooperative Trump Jr will be.
It appears Trump Sr won’t be showing up to court again today, even as his eldest son continues to take the witness stand and his second son, Eric Trump, is expected to follow him right after. The former president is scheduled to testify on Monday.
Donald Trump Jr and brother Eric arrive at Manhattan courthouse
Donald Trump Jr and his brother Eric are already at the Manhattan courthouse where both are expected to take the stand today, MSNBC legal analyst Lisa Rubin reports.
NEW: Good morning from the New York civil fraud trial against Donald Trump, where Don Jr. and Eric just breezed by me in the security line. The trial day starts at 10 am again. I’ll be here & on @msnbc all day.
— Lisa Rubin (@lawofruby) November 2, 2023
Following yesterday’s hearing, New York’s attorney general Letitia James released a video in which she recapped the hearing.
“Today, we heard testimony from an expert witness who specializes in finance, banking and large-scale transactions. He reviewed and analyzed some of the loans that the Trump Organization was able to obtain by using Donald Trump’s fraudulent statements of financial condition,” James said.
“By lying about his net worth, Donald Trump and the Trump Organization were able to get these loans for much better terms than they should have…
We then began our questioning of Donald Trump Jr who claimed to have very little understanding of the accounting and legal mechanics of the family business. But we know he’s been involved in running the Trump Organization for a long time,” she added.
Donald Trump lied about his net worth on his statements of financial condition to get loans for much better terms than he should have.
It’s that simple. pic.twitter.com/dYNhsxzxNa
— NY AG James (@NewYorkStateAG) November 1, 2023
Donald Trump Jr testimony set to continue as Eric also expected to appear
Donald Trump Jr is set to return to the witness stand today as a defendant listed in his father’s $250 million civil fraud case.
The case is brought forth by New York attorney general Letitia James. James is accusing Donald Trump and several top executives – including his eldest sons – from the Trump Organization of fraudulently inflating the value of the former president’s properties to secure better loans from banks.
In addition to Donald Trump Jr, Eric Trump has been named as a defendant and is set to make an appearance today.
During yesterday’s hearing, Trump Jr downplayed his involvement in the Trump Organization’s financial statements.
In response to multiple questions about the roles that he, his father, and Trump’s former chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg had as trustess of the Donald J Trump Revocable Trust, Trump. Jr replied, “I don’t recall.”
Following yesterday’s hearing, James released a video saying, “We know [Donald Trump Jr] has been involved in running the Trump Organization for a long time. Tomorrow, we’ll finish our questioning of Donald Trump Jr and will hear from his brother Eric Trump. And we will continue to show their involvement in the family’s fraudulent business practices.”
Stay tuned as we bring you the latest updates.
