The judge at Donald Trump’s New York civil fraud trial has admonished him to “answer the questions, no speeches” as he began testimony in a case that could dismantle his business empire.
Judge Arthur Engoron gave the warning to Mr Trump, 77, soon after he took the stand in the Manhattan court.
As he arrived at court, Mr Trump said the trial was “political warfare”.
New York’s attorney general is seeking a $250m (£202m) fine and a ban on Mr Trump doing business in the state.
Mr Trump denies wrongdoing in a case that could see him stripped of some corporate holdings and signature properties such as Trump Tower.
The judge has already ruled that the former president, along with his two oldest sons – Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, who testified last week – and other Trump Organisation executives, committed fraud. These proceedings will determine potential penalties.
Arriving at court on Monday, Mr Trump maintained that no fraud had taken place.
Instead, the frontrunner for next year’s Republican presidential nomination characterised the entire trial as a politically motivated attempt at “election interference”.
“These are political operatives that I’m going to be dealing with right now,” he said. “It’s a very sad situation for our country. We shouldn’t have this.”
As Mr Trump began testimony, Judge Engoron said: “Please just answer the questions, no speeches.” —BBC
