Ivanka Trump: I Shouldn't Have to Testify During 'School Week'

She's appealing the order that she must testify in Trump fraud trial
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 1, 2023 5:05 PM CDT
Updated Nov 3, 2023 12:26 AM CDT
Trump Jr. Takes the Stand in New York Fraud Trial
Flanked by attorneys Alina Habba, left, and Cliff Robert, right, Donald Trump Jr. waits to testify in New York Supreme Court, Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, in New York.   (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
UPDATE Nov 3, 2023 12:26 AM CDT

Ivanka Trump is appealing a judge's order requiring her to testify in the Trump Organization fraud trial next week, and she's asking the court to put the trial on pause while her appeal is considered, NBC News reports. "Ms. Trump, who resides in Florida with her three minor children, will suffer undue hardship if a stay is denied and she is required to testify at trial in New York in the middle of a school week, in a case she has already been dismissed from, before her appeal is heard," her Thursday court filing argues. Her father and brothers are still named as defendants in the case; in addition to Donald Trump Jr.'s Wednesday testimony, which you can read about below, her other brother Eric Trump testified Thursday. Her father is scheduled to testify next week.

Nov 1, 2023 5:05 PM CDT

Donald Trump Jr. became the first Trump family member to testify in the New York civil fraud trial on Wednesday, and he joked that he "should have worn makeup." The AP reports that former President Trump's eldest son was "collected and seemed at ease" while answering early questions on his education and career at his father's business empire, though he stressed that he's not an expert on the accounting issues involved in the case. "I rely on professionals and CPAs," he said. The former president has appeared voluntarily for some days of the trial, but he wasn't present on Wednesday, and he is also expected to miss Eric Trump's testimony on Thursday, Politico reports.

The Trump brothers are executive vice presidents at the Trump Organization and co-defendants in the fraud case. Donald Trump is scheduled to testify Monday, followed by Ivanka Trump, who was dismissed as a defendant before the trial began, next Wednesday, the Washington Post reports. Trump, his adult sons, and other execs are accused of inflating the value of assets to gain favorable terms from banks and insurers. Trump Jr. testified Wednesday that he signed off on financial statements but that it was up to accountants to work on the documents. "These people had an incredible intimate knowledge, and I relied on it," he said.

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Judge Arthur Engoron has already ruled that fraud was committed. The trial is largely to determine penalties, which could include a ban on the Trumps doing business in New York. Earlier Wednesday, Trump slammed the "developer Hating" judge in a post on Truth Social and said the trial was rigged, the Hill reports. "Leave my children alone, Engoron," Trump said. "You are a disgrace to the legal profession!" (More Trump New York fraud trial stories.)

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