Judge fines Trump

After more verbal attacks, a New York judge imposed a fine of $10,000 (about 9,000 francs) on former US President Donald Trump.

After more verbal attacks, a New York judge imposed a fine of $10,000 (about 9,000 francs) on former US President Donald Trump. Judge Arthur Engoron had previously summoned Trump to the witness stand for a few minutes in court in Manhattan on Wednesday, as US media have consistently reported.

Trump stated that in previous statements today, he did not refer to a court employee, but rather to his former lawyer, Michael Cohen, who testified against Trump for the second day in a row on Wednesday. However, Judge Engoron said Trump’s statements were not credible, and imposed the fine. According to media reports, Trump previously described the court employee as “biased” during a break.

After Trump’s numerous verbal outbursts, the judge had earlier ordered all trial participants to refrain from personal attacks on court staff and threatened dire consequences.

The fraud trial includes allegations from the attorney general’s office that the former president, his children and his employees manipulated the value of the Trump Organization for years in order to obtain cheaper loans and insurance contracts. Trump, a Republican, is not threatened with prison time or a direct impact on his presidential bid, but his conviction could cause him significant business damage.

The former president wants re-election next year. He is the most promising candidate for the Republican nomination. According to many observers, he is using this process as an election advertisement.

EPA/TOCO