9 months ago
The long-awaited verdict in Donald Trump's civil fraud trial was delivered Friday, but the sniping between the former president and New York Attorney General Tish James that defined the bitter court battle was far from over.
After a New York judge ordered Trump to pay over $350 million and banned him from conducting businesses in the state for three years, both Trump and James unleashed combative critiques on social media before taking to the airwaves to further chastise each other.
In a statement on Truth Social, Trump said, “Racist, Corrupt A.G Tish James has been obsessed with “Getting Trump” for years and used Crooked New York State Judge Engoron to get an illegal, unAmerican judgement against me, my family, and my tremendous business.”
"This 'decision' is a Complete and Total SHAM," he added.
James also did not hold back in a series of posts on X, formerly Twitter.
"For years, Donald Trump engaged in massive fraud to unjustly enrich himself, his family, and his organization," James said. "He may have authored 'The Art of the Deal,' but he perfected the art of the steal."
She cast the verdict as a “major win” for those who believe everyone should play by the rules and be held accountable, regardless of wealth or status.
James later Friday delivered live remarks on the verdict.
“Today justice has been served. Today we proved that no one is above the law. No matter how rich, powerful, or politically connected you are,” she said.
Trump, meanwhile, scheduled a counter-programming press conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence within minutes of James' remarks, where he lambasted trial judge Arthur Engoron and continued to fire at James, calling her a “totally corrupt Attorney General” and pledging to appeal the ruling.
"This is Russia, this is China," Trump said, tying James' actions to President Joe Biden's administration. "You see it in third-world countries. You see it in banana republics. But you don't see it here."
English (US)