A New York judge imposed a $10,000 fine on former President Trump on Tuesday after violating the gag order in the ongoing business fraud trial.
On Wednesday, Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron ordered Trump to the witness stand and questioned him about comments he made outside of the courtroom.
The unexpected calling of Trump to the witness stand came the second day of testimony from Michael Cohen, Trump's former attorney and “fixer.”
CNBC reports:
Trump, who stared down Cohen in court on Tuesday, repeatedly attacked his former lawyer in between the proceedings. He called Cohen a “proven liar,” a “felon” and a “disgrace” outside the courtroom.
He launched more attacks on social media, writing Tuesday evening that Cohen “was a complete and total disaster” in the trial.
“Lie after lie, and getting caught each time,” claimed Trump.
Trump doubled down Wednesday during a mid-morning break, saying Cohen “went to jail for lying” and branding him “a totally discredited witness.”
New York Attorney General Letitia James' case accuses Trump, his two adult sons, the Trump Organization, and top executives of falsely inflating the values of Trump's real estate properties and other assets in order to get tax benefits and better loan terms.
James seeks around $250 million in damages, and she wants to bar Trump and his co-defendants from running another business in New York.
Judge Engoron has already found Trump liable for fraud and ordered the cancellation of the defendants' New York business certificates.
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