Former President Trump arrived Tuesday at a Manhattan courthouse for the second day of the civil fraud trial against him and his business.
Trump, who was not required to attend the first two hearings, turned Monday into a spectacle, pausing in front of the cameras and excoriating the judge who will rule on the fate of his business.
The New York judge overseeing the case issued a gag order on Trump after he made a post on his Truth Social account attacking the judge’s law clerk.
New York Judge Arthur Engoron ordered the post to be deleted on Tuesday and said that “personal attacks on members on my court staff are unacceptable, inappropriate, and I won’t tolerate them.”
Donald Bender, Trump’s longtime accountant, testified for James’ team on Tuesday, according to CNN.
Eric Trump also appeared Monday at the lower Manhattan courthouse before opening statements began, per reports.
Trump and his three eldest children — Don Jr., Eric and Ivanka — are all listed as witnesses and could testify in the trial.
Trump publicly acknowledged Tuesday he intends to testify.
James filed a civil lawsuit last year accusing Trump and members of his family of financial fraud. She is seeking $250 million in damages.
She alleged that Trump and people working for him inflated his net worth by as much as $3.6 billion between 2011 and 2021.
New York Judge Arthur Engoron, who is overseeing the case, ruled last week that Trump committed fraud by exaggerating his net worth on financial records.
Engoron said Monday that he expects the trial to last until Dec. 22, CNN reports.
