On November 6, former President Donald J. Trump took the stand in his most recent civil suit.
Shortly after taking the stand, Trump on multiple occasions went toe to toe with the judge presiding over the trial, Judge Arthur Engoron.
While being questioned by the prosecution, Trump failed to answer several of their questions directly. Something that Judge Engoron warned Trump about several times before the first recess took place.
“Some of your answers have not been in response to the question,” Engoron told. “Mr. Wallace is being very patient. I would like to move this along. Please just answer the question.”
Several moments later, Trump hit back at the judge after arguing about the statute of limitations, saying, “I’m sure the judge will rule against me because he always rules against me.”
As a result, Engoron addressed Trump’s attorney Chris Kise. ”The comment that I always rule against him, which as you know is not true anyway, certainly didn’t answer the question,” Engoron said, before addressing Trump directly.
“So Mr. Trump, please just answer the question. You can attack me, you can do whatever you want, but answer the question.”
But the back and forth didn’t stop there. As Trump continued to answer the questions in his own way, the judge warned him again.
“Mr. Kise, can you control your client? This is not a political rally. This is a courtroom. In addition to the answers being non-responsive, they’re repetitive. We don’t have time to waste. We have one day with this witness.”
Judge Engoron then levied another warning at Trump and his attorney. “Mr. Kise that was a simple yes or no question. We got another speech. I beseech you to control him if you can. If you can’t I will. I will I excuse him and draw every negative inference that I can.”
Shortly after this warning, a 15-minute recess was called.
On his way back to the courtroom, Trump was captured on film gesturing to reporters to say his lips are sealed.
Reporter: Mr. Trump, can you share how things are proceeding?
— Brian Allen (@allenanalysis) November 6, 2023
Trump: [No comment.]
Skeptics often doubt the existence of magic or miracles, yet it seems Judge Engoron has accomplished what many thought was unattainable—rendering Trump silent. pic.twitter.com/aaH0g5PlnO
After coming back to the courtroom, Engoron seemingly backed off Trump, allowing him to answer the questions as he saw fit.