Trump civil fraud case: Judge fines Trump $354M, says frauds 'shock the conscience'

Before Judge Arthur Engoron could even get Trump to agree to the terms the judge had laid down for the delivery of Trump's closing statement, the former president launched into a five-minute address while seated at the defense table.

It began when defense attorney Christopher Kise asked the judge to reconsider his decision and allow Trump to speak, and Engoron asked Trump if he would stay within the bounds of his closing argument.

Trump pressed immediately on.

"Well I think, your honor, this case goes outside the facts," Trump said. "The financial statements were perfect. The banks got all their money back. They were as happy as can be."

Ignoring the judge's prohibition regarding delving into politics, Trump said, "This is a political witch hunt that should be set aside. We should receive damages for what we've gone through."

He also attacked New York Attorney General Letitia James.

"I'm an innocent man. I've been persecuted by someone running for office," Trump said. "This statute is vicious. It doesn't give me a jury. It takes away my rights."

He said the tripling of the square footage of his Trump Tower penthouse on his statement of financial condition was a mistake -- "an honest mistake" that was corrected.

Trump declared, "This is a fraud on me. What's happened here, sir, is a fraud on me."

Defense attorney Clifford Robert rounded out the defense summations by repeating claims that no evidence implicates his clients Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr.

"There is not one witness who says that Eric Trump or Donald Trump Jr. had nothing more than peripheral involvement with the statement of financial condition" that's at the heart of the case, Robert said. He added that even former Trump lawyer Michael Cohen -- who he described as "the biggest liar on the face of the planet" -- failed to implicate his clients.

Delivering his summation from the far side of the courtroom as if he was addressing the courtroom's jury box, Robert frequently pointed to the courtroom's gallery where Eric Trump sat in the first row.

"They have their futures ahead of them," Robert implored Judge Engoron, warning that the case could result in a professional "death penalty" for Trump's two eldest sons and could harm their families.

Like his co-counsel, Robert criticized the case as politically motivated.

"This is a press release wrapped up in a lawsuit," he quipped.

Robert concluded his statement by requesting that all the causes of action alleged against Trump's sons be dismissed.

The second of three defense attorneys to present closing arguments, Alina Habba, began her statement with accusations of political motives.

Habba, who also serves as Trump's legal spokesperson, said, "This case started before Ms. James took office," referring to New York Attorney General Letitia James. "You are now being dragged through a political agenda."

The accusation prompted an interjection from Judge Engoron, who earlier in the week instructed Trump's attorneys via email that Trump -- should be participate in the closings -- would have to abide by the same rules lawyers must adhere to when delivering a closing statement, namely "commentary on the relevant, material facts that are in evidence, and application of the relevant law to those facts."

"You saw the email exchange," Engoron reminded Habba. "So facts, law."

Habba pivoted, declaring that Trump "is worth billions" and arguing that there could be no fraud. She said the Trump Organization and its executives relied on the company's outside accounting firm, Mazars USA, to flag any impropriety with asset valuations and how they were calculated.

"We have wasted years, you and me, your honor, and for what?" Habba said.

Trump attorney Chris Kise wrapped up his closing statement by warning that the upcoming ruling in Donald Trump's civil fraud trial "impacts every corporation in New York."

"This decision is not just about President Trump," Kise said.

"What you do, judge, impacts every corporation in New York. The commercial marketplace would cease to exist as we know it," Kise warned.

Kise repeated his claim that the alleged fraud lacks any witnesses, allegations of fraud, and lost money; instead, the case is simply the "weaponization" of New York Executive Law 63(12), he argued.

"You cannot allow the attorney general to pursue a victimless fraud and enforce the corporate death penalty," Kise said.