A New York judge who ordered former President Donald Trump to pay $364 million in a civil fraud case has sparked outrage among Trump’s supporters and critics alike after he shrugged, laughed and smirked to the camera in court.
Judge Arthur Engoron, who presided over the 2½-month trial, issued a blistering decision that accused Trump and his company of engaging in a “yearslong scheme to dupe banks and others with financial statements that inflated the former president’s wealth”.
Engoron also barred Trump from serving as an officer or director of any New York corporation or other legal entity for three years.
Trump, who denied any wrongdoing and called the case “a fraud on me”, vowed to appeal the verdict and accused Engoron of being “extremely hostile” and “politically motivated”. He also claimed that the judge’s law clerk had received death threats from his opponents and that the judge had fined him $15,000 for violating a partial gag order.
The case was brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, who said she was “pleased” with the outcome and that it “sends a clear message that no one is above the law” . James had argued that Trump and his company had used inflated financial statements to obtain bank loans and insurance policies at rates they otherwise wouldn’t have been entitled to and “reaped hundreds of millions of dollars in ill-gotten gains”.
The verdict is the second this year against Trump, who was hit last month with an $83.3 million verdict in writer E. Jean Carroll’s defamation case against him . The former president could also face four criminal trials this year as he prepares to run for office again in 2024.
As Engoron left the court, he was surrounded by reporters and photographers who captured his jubilant expression. Some of them asked him if he was happy with the verdict, to which he replied, “I’m always happy when justice is done”. He then winked at the camera and walked away, leaving behind a trail of controversy and debate.
Some of Trump’s supporters condemned Engoron’s behavior as “unprofessional”, “disrespectful” and “biased”. They said that the judge had shown his personal animosity towards Trump and that his decision was based on political vendetta rather than facts and evidence. They also questioned the credibility and impartiality of the New York judicial system and demanded a fair and independent review of the case.
Some of Trump’s critics, however, praised Engoron’s behavior as “courageous”, “honest” and “satisfying” . They said that the judge had shown his integrity and independence by holding Trump accountable for his fraudulent actions and that his decision was based on solid and compelling arguments. They also applauded the New York attorney general’s office for pursuing the case and exposing Trump’s corruption and deception.
The debate over Engoron’s behavior reflects the deep and polarized divisions in the American society over Trump and his legacy. While some see him as a victim of a witch hunt and a champion of the people, others see him as a con man and a threat to democracy. The question of whether Engoron’s verdict was justice or revenge may never be settled, but it will certainly fuel the political and legal battles that lie ahead for Trump and his opponents.
