Months before the New York civil fraud trial, a deposition video of Donald Trump has been released, showcasing the former president's evolving demeanor from calm to indignant. The seven-hour, closed-door session from April last year reveals Trump's strong objections to Attorney General Letitia James' lawsuit against him, branding it a "disgrace" and "a terrible thing."
In the video, Trump, the frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination, is seen sitting with folded arms, expressing incredulity at being compelled to justify his decades of successful real estate empire-building in the face of the court case jeopardizing his legacy.
Trump, who asserts that James' lawsuit is a politically motivated "witch hunt," demonstrated his dissatisfaction from the outset, smirking and pouting as the attorney general, a Democrat, introduced herself, emphasizing her commitment to a fair legal process.
James' lawsuit accuses Trump, his company, and top executives of defrauding banks, insurers, and others by inflating his wealth and exaggerating asset values. The video offers a rare glimpse of Trump as a witness, capturing his animated responses during the deposition.
Highlights from Trump's videotaped deposition include:
Trump boldly stated that James and her staff "don't have a case," emphasizing that the banks involved suffered no harm and were paid in his deals. He criticized the lawsuit as "crazy" and accused New York authorities of focusing on investigating him instead of addressing violent crime.
Trump downplayed the seriousness of his financial statements, suggesting they were not meant to be taken seriously. He argued that people doing business with him were warned not to trust the statements, emphasizing the disclaimers included.
Trump estimated the worth of his "brand" alone to be around "$10 billion," attributing his political success to the ubiquity of his name and persona. He claimed that becoming president was a result of having the "hottest brand in the world."
Trump explained that he placed the Trump Organization into a trust overseen by his eldest son and finance chief after being elected president. He claimed it was to avoid conflicts of interest and to present himself as a "legitimate president."
Trump asserted that his focus as president was on preventing nuclear attacks, specifically mentioning dealing with North Korea to avoid a nuclear war. He considered his role the "most important job in the world" and emphasized his commitment to saving millions of lives.
Trump urged his inquisitors to look out the window for a view of his 40 Wall Street office tower. He gestured towards the building, insisting that it was doing well financially, and encouraged the opening of the window curtain.
Trump showcased his penchant for superlatives, repeatedly using words like "beautiful," "incredible," and "phenomenal" to describe his various properties worldwide. He provided glowing descriptions of his golf courses in Scotland, the villas at Doral golf resort, and his Seven Springs estate.
The release of this video offers insights into Trump's responses during the deposition, providing a unique perspective on his reactions to questioning by the state attorney general. The trial judge, Arthur Engoron, is expected to deliver a ruling by the end of January.
