Trump Denied Closing Argument in NY Fraud Trial, Defies Judge with Courtroom Speech - 2024-01-12

**Trump Denied Closing Argument in NY Fraud Trial, Defies Judge with Courtroom Speech**.
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* Judge Arthur Engoron rescinded permission for Trump to give his own closing argument in the New York civil fraud trial..
* Trump defied the judge's order and gave a six-minute speech in court, criticizing the case and the judge..
* The judge cut Trump off and recessed for lunch..
* Closing arguments in the trial are scheduled to continue on Thursday afternoon..
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Former President Donald Trump was denied permission to give his own closing argument in his New York civil fraud trial on Wednesday, but he defied the judge's order and gave a six-minute speech in court, criticizing the case and the judge..
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Judge Arthur Engoron had initially allowed Trump to make his own closing argument, but he rescinded that permission on Wednesday after Trump's lawyers refused to agree to the judge's demand that Trump stick to "relevant" matters..
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Trump's lawyers had argued that he should be allowed to speak freely in his own defense, but Engoron said that Trump could not use his closing argument to "deliver a campaign speech" or to "impugn the judge and his staff.".
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Trump defied the judge's order and took the stand on Thursday morning, despite the judge's warning that he would be cut off if he did not follow the rules..
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Trump began his speech by saying that he was an "innocent man" who was being "persecuted" by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is seeking $370 million in penalties against Trump and his company..
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Trump then went on to attack the judge, saying that he was "working closely" with James to "screw me.".
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Engoron cut Trump off after six minutes and recessed for lunch..
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Closing arguments in the trial are scheduled to continue on Thursday afternoon..
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**Entities:**.
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* Donald Trump.
* Judge Arthur Engoron.
* New York Attorney General Letitia James.
* Trump Organization.
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**Catchwords:**.
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* Civil fraud trial.
* Closing argument.
* Judge's order.
* Defiance.
* Speech.
* Criticism.
* Persecution.
* Penalties.
* Attack.
* Recess.
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**Category:** Civil.
**SubCategory:** Fraud.
**Subject:** Trump's closing argument in NY fraud trial