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.
10/ Klasfeld:
NYAG's counsel Colleen Faherty continues to systematically confront Don Jr. with his signed certifications to banks and representations on statements of financial condition.
Trump Jr., in turn, continues to emphasize the advice of his lawyers and accountants. 🙄
11/ Klasfeld:
Faherty moves on from Jr.'s representations to Deutsche Bank to others he made to acct firm Whitley Penn
NYAG shows Jr. his signature on an agreement to sell the Trump Ferry Point golf club in The Bronx.
He signed as president of Trump Ferry Point LLC.
Donald Trump
This line of q sparked objections from defense bc the deal took place this yr, well after filing of lawsuit
Engoron allows it, after Faherty argues fraudulent statements about the property were backdrop of the sale
12/ I'm back at my computer now, not just my phone, so now I can include Lisa Rubin's extensive reporting.
First, Klasfeld:
Engoron questioned Don Jr. directly:
Q: Mr. Trump, did you have anything to do with the statements of financial condition?
A: No, I did not, your honor.
13/ Rubin:
He has no specific recollection, he testifies, of signing an indemnity to Zurich Insurance in or around 2017. He recognizes his signature, however.
“Between 2011 and present, you have been generally apprised of the operating revenue of the organization?” He agrees, generally yes.
14/ Rubin:
She then shows him a “corporate modified cash flow projections vs. actual” memo from Weisselberg to him and Eric for 2017.
The adjusted net cash flow for 2017 was only $2.2 million despite a projected figure much higher.
He does not recall whether he requested that Weisselberg prepare his document but confirmed that he and his siblings regularly got these updates.
I don't recall.
I am dumb.
I am merely a figurehead.
It's all their fault.
I barely knew anything.
I barely knew them.
The Trump Mantra.
Laffy
PlantingTrees😷🇨🇦🌻👠