Trump and Michael Cohen exchange criticism over ‘fixer’s’ delayed testimony in fraud trial: ‘He has no guts’

Donald Trump and Michael Cohen traded barbs Tuesday as the former president again attended the civil fraud trial threatening his business empire and claimed his former personal lawyer didn’t “have the guts” to face him in court.

Cohen’s testimony in New York Attorney General Letitia James’ $250 million lawsuit against Trump, 77, was originally scheduled to coincide with the 45th president’s return to the Manhattan Supreme Court for the third week of trial, until Cohen said Friday that he was forced to delay his testimony due to a medical condition.

When asked by reporters during a break about the absence of his former “fixer,” Trump responded that Cohen “has no guts.”

In an email to The Post on Tuesday, Cohen responded that he was not afraid of his former boss.

“If I was afraid of Donald, I wouldn’t have written 2 NYT bestsellers, testified before Mueller’s team, seven congressional committees, 23 appearances before the Manhattan District Attorney, and provided information to the NYAG that is the foundation of this trial.” Cohen said.

“We look forward to seeing you in court very soon!” she added.

Donald Trump and Michael Cohen traded barbs Tuesday over Cohen’s delayed testimony in the Trump fraud case.Getty Images

Cohen is not expected to appear until Monday at the earliest.

Trump told reporters he planned to return to the courthouse at 60 Center Street again on Wednesday.

The former president, who had previously attended the first three days of the trial two weeks ago, made a theatrical return to the lower Manhattan courtroom on Tuesday, only to be met with relatively dry testimony, replete with spreadsheets and evaluation jargon.

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The first witness to take the stand was Trump Organization accountant Donna Kidder, whose testimony was followed by Doug Larson, executive vice president of the real estate company Newmark.

Trump claimed that the reason for the delay in Cohen’s testimony was because he did not “have the guts” to confront the former president from the witness stand.REUTERS

Larson, who testified for most of the day, said in 2015 that he evaluated Trump’s 71-story commercial skyscraper at 40 Wall St. in the Financial District.

The attorney general’s office has alleged that the Trump organization overstated the value of the landmark property by $735.4 million in 2015, despite an appraisal ordered by the lender that put its value at $540 million.

During breaks, Trump took several opportunities to speak in front of press cameras as he walked in and out of the courtroom, again criticizing the case as a “rigged trial” and touching on a variety of topics, including Israel’s war against Hamas. and the race for power. President of the House.

He called President Biden’s planned visit to Israel “political” and said the conflict with Hamas was “a terrible thing.”

Trump’s one-time “fixer” responded that he had a medical condition and still planned to testify.AP

The 2024 GOP presidential front-runner also endorsed Rep. Jim Jordan’s failed bid for House speaker, saying, “I think he’s going to be a great speaker.”

Trump, who is not required to be present at the trial, spent about five hours in court. He left about an hour before the day’s proceedings concluded, and his attorneys were ready to conclude their cross-examination of Larson Wednesday morning.

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The former president was scheduled to be deposed in the Big Apple on Tuesday in a separate lawsuit filed by two former FBI workers against the Justice Department over the backlash they received for exchanging anti-Trump texts with each other.

Cohen is a key witness in Trump’s $250 million civil fraud trial. New York State Attorney General

Former FBI agent Peter Strzok claims he was unfairly fired for sending messages to FBI attorney Lisa Page, who resigned in 2018 a few months before Strzok’s firing.

James, the attorney general, jumped at the chance to see Trump in court, and upon arriving in the morning, scowled at her as he passed, flanked by lawyers, as she sat in the front row of the gallery.

The property tycoon has repeatedly attacked James for carrying out what he claims is a politically motivated witch hunt against him.

Trump said he would return to court on Wednesday.Steven Hirsch

As James left the courthouse Tuesday afternoon, he criticized Trump for allegedly distracting him from his case, but remained steadfast in his belief that “victory will be mine.”

“I’m sure he’ll come back again and again; he’ll try to distract each and every one of you, he’ll try to raise his voice and scream,” James said. “But at the end of the day, justice will be served and I am confident that victory will be mine.”

The trial is expected to last until December.

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Source: vtt.edu.vn

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