Closing arguments in President Trump’s civil fraud trial in New York

Donald Trump had been scheduled to appear in closing arguments for several days, but there was another twist last week when his defense attorney told Judge Arthur Engoron that the former president planned to participate in the argument in person. added.

This led to a controversial exchange between Mr. Engoron and Mr. Trump’s lawyer, Chris Kiss.

Mr. Engoron also noted that there is a gag order on comments made about court officials, and said that if Mr. He said he would allow him to speak.

“He may not be willing to introduce new evidence. He may not ‘testify.’ He may not comment on unrelated matters,” Engoron wrote in an email to Kise released as part of court records Wednesday. “In particular, and without limitation, he may not make any campaign speech or disparage me, my staff, plaintiffs, plaintiff staff, or the New York State court system, none of which are relevant to this case. .”

Kise responded that President Trump would not agree to such conditions.

“He cannot (and is not advised to) agree to the proposed preconditions and prior constraints,” Kise wrote.

Mr. Engoron countered in an email Tuesday: “You and your client’s refusal to accept the reasonable and normal limitations that I have placed on Mr. Trump’s arguments, the same limitations that the law imposes on those who make closing arguments, is completely unacceptable. It is necessary to impose them “justified.” ”

Mr. Engoron extended the deadline for the terms agreement multiple times (Mr. Trump’s lawyers also wanted to delay the entire court session, pointing to the recent death of Melania Trump’s mother), and just before noon Wednesday, Mr. Trump He gave his team one last chance.