Trump distances himself from preparation of statements
The courtroom has broken for lunch before Trump's testimony resumes for the afternoon session.
Trump testified in the morning session that he tasked then-Trump Organization executives Jeffrey McConney and Allen Weisselberg to work with a "very highly paid accounting firm" to handle his annual statements of financial condition, distancing himself from the preparation of the statements that are at the center of the New York attorney general's case.
"All I did was authorize for people to give what was necessary so they could do the statement," Trump said.
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Asked about the valuation of his Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida, which was assessed at a dramatically lower value than Trump claimed because a deed restriction prevented it from being used as anything but a social club, Trump defended his valuation, saying, "We have the right to change it back to a house."
The former president also continued to tout his financial statements' so-called "worthless" clause which he said ensured that banks did not take the statement at face value.
"We have a disclaimer that says, 'Do your own due diligence. Don't under any circumstances count on anything here,'" Trump said in court, at one point waving a piece of paper in the air about the clause that he said vindicated him.
"I would love to read that if I could, your honor?" Trump asked Judge Engoron.
"No," Engoron said, shooting down the request.
"No shock," Trump quipped.