Trump says he will be in court to ‘fight for my name and reputation’ in fraud trial

Former President Trump said Sunday night he will make a voluntary appearance in court Monday morning in the civil case brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) over alleged fraud in his business dealings. 

In a series of posts on his Truth Social platform, Trump railed against James and the judge presiding over the case, New York Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron, who last week found Trump liable for fraud in the case. 

“I’m going to Court tomorrow morning to fight for my name and reputation against a corrupt and racist Attorney General, Letitia James, who campaigned on ‘getting Trump,’ and a Trump Hating Judge who is unfair, unhinged, and vicious in his PURSUIT of me,” Trump wrote in a post.

“He values Mar-a-Lago, in Palm Beach, Florida, at 18 Million Dollars, when it is worth 50 to 100 times that amount. His valuations are FRAUDULENT in pursuit of Election Interference, and worse. THIS WHOLE CASE IS A SHAM!!! See you in Court – Monday morning,” he added.

Engoron ruled last week that James sufficiently proved the crux of her case, writing in a 35-page ruling that James “has demonstrated that there remain, at the very least, disputed issues of fact as to whether defendants violated these statutes, intentionally and materially.”

Engoron’s decision last week stripped Trump’s business of certain licenses and raised the possibility he could lose control of some of his famed properties. James’s office claimed in the suit that Trump’s company falsely inflated and deflated asset valuations to benefit either from lower taxes or better insurance coverage. 

Trump has taken particular issue with the suggestion his stature as a business person was exaggerated and has reflected that in his comments against the judge and attorney general. 

“Judge Engoron’s Valuation of Mar-a-Lago, the most spectacular property in Palm Beach, Florida, IS FRAUDULENT! He states a value of 18 Million Dollars, knowing full well that it is worth, perhaps, 50 to 100 times that amount,” Trump wrote in another Truth Social post.

“Engoron is working diligently to misrepresent me, and my net worth, which is substantially MORE than is shown on my fully ‘disclaimed’ Financial Statements. I have not even included my most valuable asset – BRAND!” Trump added.

“He should resign from the ‘Bench’ and be sanctioned by the Courts for his abuse of power, and his intentional and criminal interference with the Presidential Election of 2024, of which I am leading all candidates, both Republican & Democrat, by significant margins. Likewise, Letitia James should resign for purposeful and criminal Election Interference,” the former president continued. “She is fully aware that Mar-a-Lago, and other assets, are worth much more than what she is claiming. Both of these Democrat Operatives are a disgrace to New York, and to the United States of America!”

Trump signaled last week that he might attend the trial in person, pushing off a deposition in another case. The civil case is expected to last several months, and he is not required to attend in person. 

Trump is facing 91 charges in four criminal cases.