As always, I’ll be juggling coverage of Shouty McCokeFace’s testimony from mult sources; if you @ me w a ques, I won’t be able to reply, so please make sure to say “Not for you, Laffy” or, “For others to answer” or something. TY!
THREAD 🧵will start here 1/…
Via Klasfeld:
…from #NewYork.
#DonaldTrumpJr’s 2nd day of testimony will begin later this morning. On the 1st, he tried to shift focus to his accountants—& the AG's counsel shed light on his father's trust.
#Trump #legal #DonJr
2/ Proceedings about to begin. They’re allowing photographers to take pics now.
FYI: It’s only 7 am here in Calif. You’ll see a gap when I take off to do what I gotta do, but I will catch you up on every entry when I get back.
3/ Klasfeld:
Don Jr.'s testimony resumes:
NYAG's counsel Colleen Faherty asks whether he discussed his testimony yesterday with anyone.
He didn't, he says. (Me: 😂🙄)
4/ Klasfeld:
Don Jr. is shown an email with the subject line "URGENT Factchecking Inquiry from Forbes," dated March 3, 2017.
Don Jr.'s response to the magazine's detailed questions:
“Insane amount of stuff there.”
(Note: That's what Don Jr. **wrote** in the email chain, not what he said on the stand.)
Indeed, the Forbes press inquiry that evoked that response from Don Jr. was... detailed.
Don Jr.:
"Again, for purposes of accounting, I relied upon the accountants."👈🏼🙄
5/ Klasfeld:
Don Jr. is shown a loan document from Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas dated March 13, 2017.
He signed the document as "attorney in fact" for his father.
6/ Klasfeld:
The document had him attest:
“The foregoing presents fairly in all material respects the financial condition of Guarantor at the period presented.” Don Jr. testifies that he doesn't recall this specific document, but signing certifications like this generally.
"I'm sure I've signed dozens of these [certifications] in my time as trustee," he said.
[Me: Sound familiar? Daddy Trump: I’m sure I’ve taken photos with thousands of people. I have no idea who this is.]
7/ Klasfeld:
Don Jr shown father's statement of financial condition for June 30, 2017.
It notes the trustees were responsible for report at the time. Don Jr. became a trustee that year, the 1st of his father's presidency.
NYAG's counsel repeats series of q’s about Don Jr.'s involvement in the statements of financial condition for the other years of his father's presidency. Don Jr. remained a trustee for 2018, 2019, and 2020.
"Rinse and repeat," Don Jr. responds, w a chuckle. [Me: Asshole]
8/ Klasfeld:
Donny shown another certification to Deutsche Bank that he signed on Oct. 31 2017.
It also attached a statement of financial condition.
Q: You signed certification intending that the bank would rely on it.
A: I would be fine w them relying on it.
9/ Klasfeld:
NYAG repeats Q, Don Jr. dances around the question of his intent, even after pressed by Justice Engoron.
"It's not as simple as 'yes or no.'"
[Emptywheel notes:👆 A remarkably similar answer to the one Michael Cohen gave. Will Trump demand a directed verdict again?]
Don Jr. said that he assumed banks would perform their own due diligence.
@GottaLaff Banks rely on the documentation provided to them. They do not do independent audits of every applicant.
If he submitted false information, that's on him and not on the bank.
Laffy
Sean McCabe