Key Takeaways from Donald Trump’s Civil Fraud Trial
Court as a Campaign Stop
Former President Donald Trump turned his appearances in court into de facto campaign stops, using them as an opportunity to express his grievances and claim that he was being persecuted.
Trump and the Bank
Much of the trial focused on Trump’s relationship with Deutsche Bank, with prosecutors accusing him of inflating his wealth to secure loans. Testimony revealed that Deutsche Bank’s private wealth management division eagerly courted Trump as a “whale” of a client and that the bank’s bankers anticipated cross-selling him other lucrative services.
A ‘Whale’ of a Client
Deutsche Bank’s bankers courted Trump as a big-dollar client who could connect them with the wealthiest people on the planet. Alongside the loan deals, Trump made multimillion-dollar bank deposits, and the bankers saw him as a potential source of lucrative, fee-based services.
Bidding for the Buffalo Bills
In 2014, Trump unsuccessfully attempted to buy the Buffalo Bills NFL franchise. Emails presented during the trial revealed that investment bankers involved in shopping the team had doubts about Trump’s chances of being approved by the league.
The Tripled Trump Tower Triplex
Trump’s Trump Tower triplex penthouse was valued in his financial statements as 30,000 square feet, nearly three times its actual size. The discrepancy was attributed to a mistake made by Trump Organization employees who incorrectly reported the size of the apartment.
What’s Next for the Trial?
Closing arguments are scheduled for early January, with Judge Arthur Engoron aiming to reach a decision by the end of the month. New York Attorney General Letitia James is seeking penalties over $300 million and wants Trump banned from doing business in New York.
