Donald Trump set to appear at start of fraud trial as he argues his rivals are ‘out to get him’

Published

2 years ago

October 2, 2023

admin

Donald Trump is set to make a surprise appearance on the first day of his trial for “astounding” fraud which begins in New York today.

The former president, who is the favourite to be the Republican presidential candidate next year, is the central defendant in the civil trial which begins today at a courtroom in southern Manhattan.

Trump, along with several members of his family and other associates, is accused of inflating the value of the Trump property empire by billions of dollars to secure loans in a case brought by New York’s Attorney General Letitia James.

On Tuesday last week, a remarkable pre-trial ruling by Judge Arthur Engoron, set in motion the prospect of Trump losing his New York business licence which could force him to sell all his New York property including the iconic Trump Tower on 5th Avenue.

Trump had been expected not to attend this trial unless forced to testify.

However, court documents in a separate lawsuit, published late last week, hint at a potential courtroom showdown with Judge Engoron who he has branded ‘deranged’.

Trump had been due in court in Florida in a case he brought to sue his former attorney, Michael Cohen. However he has sought to delay that case in order to appear in person at the New York trial instead.

“Through counsel, plaintiff [Trump] represented that he would be attending his New York trial in person – at least for each day of the first week of trial.” the court papers in the Florida lawsuit said.

Last night, with trademark Trumpian double-speak, the former president said: “According to news reports, I will be attending the civil trial in New York tomorrow where an anti-Trump judge is attempting to bring down the Trump Organisation and financially break me.”

The news reports had been based on his own indication to attend the New York trial.

His surprise appearance could trigger a long string of trials

If he does appear, the case will mark the beginning of a long string of unprecedented civil and criminal trials against the 45th President of the United States in New York, Georgia and Florida.

Referring to today’s fraud trial, Trump said last night: “An anti-Trump judge is attempting to bring down the Trump Organisation and financially break me.”

In a statement emailed to his supporters nationwide, he said: “Democrats are seeking to bring down the world-famous ‘Trump Tower’ and impose what some are calling “the corporate death penalty” upon me. This will be the FIRST TRIAL in the Democrats’ string of witch hunts designed to destroy our 2024 presidential campaign.”

The case was brought by New York’s attorney general after Trump’s former attorney, Michael Cohen, revealed what he claimed to show mass fraud by Trump.

It is alleged that the Trump Organisation routinely inflated the value of the former president’s assets to the tune of billions of dollars and the size of his properties in order to obtain better terms from banks and insurers.

In one example alleged by the attorney general, it is claimed that Trump’s triplex penthouse apartment in Trump Tower was 30,000 sq ft when in fact it is one third of that size.

Defending him, his lawyers have said that statements about the value of his assets were never relied on by the banks who had never complained about being misled.

He could lose his New York property – but Trump says it’s a ‘witch-hunt’

Attorney General James is seeking a $250m (£201.3m) fine and to bar Trump and his sons Donald Trump Jr, and Eric Trump from leading the family business.

The pre-trial ruling already puts Trump’s ability to control his New York properties in immediate jeopardy because he is unable to operate them without a business licence.

His lawyers are likely to seek clarity to this ruling in court this week, perhaps with their client now present too.

Financially and symbolically, this represents a huge moment for Donald Trump. He stands to lose control of a property empire in a city from where he built his fortune and fame.

But politically, it perfectly fits his “witch-hunt” narrative; a case brought by a judge and an attorney general, both stated Democrats, who he says are “out to get him”. It is a narrative which unquestionably resonates with his supporters across the country.

“I have a Deranged, Trump Hating Judge, who RAILROADED this FAKE CASE through a NYS Court at a speed never before seen,” he wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social.

The case is set to last until December.

World

Trump’s USAID cuts could lead to 14 million deaths, report warns

Published

2 hours ago

July 1, 2025

admin

Trump's USAID cuts could lead to 14 million deaths, report warns

Around 14 million people could die across the world over the next five years because of cuts to the US Agency for International Development (USAID), researchers have warned.

Children under five are expected to make up around a third (4.5 million) of the mortalities, according to a study published in The Lancet medical journal.

Estimates showed that “unless the abrupt funding cuts announced and implemented in the first half of 2025 are reversed, a staggering number of avoidable deaths could occur by 2030”.

“Beyond causing millions of avoidable deaths – particularly among the most vulnerable – these cuts risk reversing decades of progress in health and socioeconomic development in LMICs [low and middle-income countries],” the report said.

USAID programmes have prevented the deaths of more than 91 million people, around a third of them among children, the study suggests.

The agency’s work has been linked to a 65% fall in deaths from HIV/AIDS, or 25.5 million people.

Eight million deaths from malaria, more than half the total, around 11 million from diarrheal diseases and nearly five million from tuberculosis (TB), have also been prevented.

USAID has been vital in improving global health, “especially in LMICs, particularly African nations,” according to the report.

Established in 1961, the agency was tasked with providing humanitarian assistance and helping economic growth in developing countries, especially those deemed strategic to Washington.

But the Trump administration has made little secret of its antipathy towards the agency, which became an early victim of cuts carried out by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) – formerly led by Elon Musk – in what the US government said was part of a broader plan to remove wasteful spending.

In March, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said more than 80% of USAID schemes had been closed following a six-week review, leaving around 1,000 active.

The US is the world’s largest humanitarian aid donor, providing around $61bn (£44bn) in foreign assistance last year, according to government data, or at least 38% of the total, and USAID is the world’s leading donor for humanitarian and development aid, the report said.

Between 2017 and 2020, the agency responded to more than 240 natural disasters and crises worldwide – and in 2016 it sent food assistance to more than 53 million people across 47 countries.

The study assessed all-age and all-cause mortality rates in 133 countries and territories, including all those classified as low and middle-income, supported by USAID from 2001 to 2021.

World

Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra suspended amid outrage over leaked phone call

Published

4 hours ago

July 1, 2025

admin

Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra suspended amid outrage over leaked phone call

Thailand’s prime minister has been suspended after a leaked phone call with a senior Cambodian politician caused outrage.

An ethics investigation into Paetongtarn Shinawatra is under way and she could end up being dismissed.

The country’s constitutional court took up a petition from 36 senators, who claimed dishonesty and a breach of ethical standards, and voted 7 to 2 to suspend her.

The prime minister’s call with Cambodia’s former leader, Hun Sen, sparked public protests after she tried to appease him and criticised a Thai army commander – a taboo move in a country where the military is extremely influential.

Ms Shinawatra was trying to defuse mounting tensions at the border – which in May resulted in the death of one Cambodian soldier.

Thousands of conservative, nationalist protesters held a demo in Bangkok on Saturday to urge her to step down.

Her party is clinging on to power after another group withdrew from their alliance a few weeks ago over the phone call. Calls for a no-confidence vote are likely.

Deputy prime minister Suriya Juangroongruangkit will take over temporarily while the court looks into the case.

The 38-year-old prime minister – Thailand‘s youngest ever leader – has 15 days to respond to the probe. She has apologised and said her approach in the call was a negotiating tactic.

The popularity of her government has slumped recently, with an opinion poll showing an approval rating of 9.2%, down from 30.9% in March.

Ms Shinawatra comes from a wealthy dynasty synonymous with Thai politics.

Her father Thaksin Shinawatra – a former Manchester City owner – and aunt Yingluck Shinawatra served as prime minister before her – in the early to mid 2000s – and their time in office also ended ignominiously amid corruption charges and military coups.

World

Benjamin Netanyahu to meet Donald Trump next week amid calls for Gaza ceasefire

Published

11 hours ago

July 1, 2025

admin

Benjamin Netanyahu to meet Donald Trump next week amid calls for Gaza ceasefire

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will be meeting Donald Trump next Monday, according to US officials.

The visit on 7 July comes after Mr Trump suggested it was possible a ceasefire in Gaza could be reached within a week.

On Sunday, he wrote on social media: “MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!!”

At least 60 people killed across Gaza on Monday, in what turned out to be some of the heaviest attacks in weeks.

According to the Hamas-run health ministry, 56,500 people have been killed in the 20-month war.

The visit by Mr Netanyahu to Washington has not been formally announced and the officials who said it would be going ahead spoke on condition of anonymity.

An Israeli official in Washington also confirmed the meeting next Monday.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the administration was in constant communication with the Israeli government.

She said Mr Trump viewed ending the war in Gaza and returning remaining hostages held by Hamas as a top priority.

The war in Gaza broke out in retaliation for Hamas’ 7 October 2023 attacks on southern Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw a further 250 taken hostage.

An eight-week ceasefire was reached in the final days of Joe Biden’s US presidency, but Israel resumed the war in March after trying to get Hamas to accept new terms on next steps.

Talks between Israel and Hamas have stalled over whether the war should end as part of any ceasefire.