NEW YORK – Former President Donald Trump has been barred from delivering his own closing argument in a civil fraud trial in New York. Judge Arthur Engoron ruled that Trump will not be allowed to present his closing statement in court on Thursday. This decision comes as the trial nears its conclusion.
The civil fraud trial involves allegations that Trump defrauded the students of Trump University, his now-defunct real estate school. The plaintiffs claim that Trump made false promises about the quality of the education they would receive and the support they would receive from instructors.
Judge Engoron’s ruling means that Trump’s legal team will have to deliver the closing argument on his behalf. Trump’s attorneys argued that he should be allowed to address the court directly, but the judge disagreed.
This is not the first time that Trump has been restricted from speaking in court during this trial. Earlier in the proceedings, Judge Engoron limited Trump’s ability to testify, ruling that his deposition would not be admitted as evidence. The judge cited the inflammatory nature of some of Trump’s statements as the reason for this decision.
As the trial comes to a close, both sides have presented their cases and the jury will soon begin deliberations. If found guilty of fraud, Trump could be ordered to pay restitution to the plaintiffs and may also face additional penalties.
Trump has denied any wrongdoing throughout the trial and has maintained that Trump University provided a valuable education to its students. The trial has garnered significant attention due to Trump’s status as a former president and his continued prominence in politics.
The judge’s ruling to prevent Trump from delivering his own closing argument is another setback for the former president in this ongoing legal battle. As the trial concludes, all eyes will be on the jury’s decision and the potential implications for Trump’s future endeavors.