Donald Trump to Testify in Final Days of New York Civil Fraud Trial

Former President Donald Trump is expected to attend the final days of his New York civil fraud trial on Thursday. Trump, two of his sons and their company are accused of participating in a decade-long fraud scheme involving misrepresentations of Trump’s wealth to attract favorable rates on loans and insurance.

The defense’s final expert witness, Eli Bartov, an accounting professor at New York University, is scheduled to take the stand Thursday. Trump is also expected to testify Monday as the defense’s last witness in the case.

Trump has attended the trial, which began on Oct. 2, eight previous times — including for his Nov. 6 testimony. On Wednesday, Eric Trump, the former president’s adult son, was scheduled to testify as one of the final witnesses but backed out. That day, he clashed with the judge, Arthur Engoron, straying from questions and earning reprimands.

During a recent rally, Trump jokingly said he would only be a dictator “on Day 1” of a potential second presidency. Trump’s legal team has denied the allegations against him in the civil fraud trial and is expected to continue to do so during the remainder of the proceedings.