07 November 2023 , 21:06
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Donald Trump's lawyers are "fighting aggressively to protect his honour" as they "contribute to his strategy" of painting himself as a victim, an expert has claimed.
The former president clashed with New York judge Arthur Engoron at his civil trial on Monday and made personal jabs towards the judge and New York Attorney General Letitia James, whom he described as a "political hack" during a feisty three-and-a-half hours on the stand. “This is the opposite of fraud,” he declared. Referring to James, a Democrat whose office brought the lawsuit, he said, “The fraud is her.”
He was reprimanded by the judge who told him "this is not a political rally” as Trump used the witness stand to defend his property valuations and financial statements. He proudly boasted of his property empire business — “I’m worth billions of dollars more than the financial statements” — and disputed claims that he had deceived banks and insurers.
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Trump alongside his lawyers Chris Kise and Alina Habba (AP)Alina Habba, Trump's lawyer, accused Judge Arthur Engoron of being "unhinged" and claimed he slammed a table in court. Speaking to reporters outside the courtroom, she said: “I was told to sit down today. I was yelled at and I’ve had a judge, who is unhinged, slamming a table. Let me be very clear: I don’t tolerate that in my life. I’m not going to tolerate it here.”
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The bizarre spectacle is part of the Republican presidential candidate, and his lawyers, strategy to use court hearings to portray Trump as a victim of the "liberal judicial system", according to Dr. Sharon D. Wright Austin, Professor of Political Science at the University of Florida.
Alina Habba passionately defended Trump outside court (AP)She exclusively told Mirror US: "His strategy is to motivate his supporters. Regardless of the outcome of the various court trials he's involved in, he can still run for president, and can possibly win. He wants his supporters to become outraged by portraying himself as a victim of a liberal judicial system that is trying to prevent him from becoming president again. Trump has a domineering personality and wants to promote an image of himself as a fighter. This is typical of what he does.
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The behaviour of Trump's lawyers is "surprising" but not "shocking" as Habba needs to portray her client as the "victim" to help mobilise support among his base. Dr Austin added: "The behavior of his lawyers is surprising, but not shocking. They want to show the public that they are fighting aggressively to protect his honor. They want him to be found not guilty and not face any punishments but also are contributing to his campaign strategy (of portraying himself as a victim as a way to mobilise his base and attract additional supporters).
Sharon Wright Austin is Professor of Political Science at the University of Florida (University of Florida)"According to recent polls, the strategy is working well for him. He is now leading President Biden in mostly all of the battleground states that he lost in 2020. There is a lot of time left before next year's election, but the momentum clearly is with Trump."
With the leading Republican candidate leading in the polls, Trump turned down the television debates but is using the court as a political platform where he can spread his message, according to Dr Austin.
She said: "He really doesn't have to participate in the debates because he's so far ahead. Donald Trump is a completely different type of politician. He was elected with no political experience in 2016, defeated several established politicians (including Hillary Clinton). To his supporters, he can do no wrong. The judge admonished Trump for using the court as a campaign platform. Now, it remains to be seen if he will face some type of severe punishment for his behavior. He doesn't like to follow rules."