Donald Jr., son of former President Donald Trump, on Monday called his father an "artist with real estate" during his testimony at the New York civil fraud trial.
Taking the stand, Don Jr. claimed his father "has been good at finding value, doing something differently" and said the former president is skilled at identifying "sexiness within a real estate project."
"He's an artist with real estate. He sees the things other people don't," he added.
During the trial, Don Jr. also gave a virtual tour of the Mar-a-Lago-which he claimed was "one of the few sort of American castles"-and said it had upset him when media reports suggested that the Palm Beach club was only worth $18 million.
"I may have taken some umbrage. You couldn't build that atrium for $18 million today," he said.
New York Civil Fraud Trial
Don Jr.'s testimony comes amid a fierce legal battle against New York State Attorney General Letitia James' office, which sued the Trump family business for allegedly inflating their wealth on annual financial statements to secure better loans and deals from banks and insurers. His testimony sets the tone ahead of Monday when his family's team is set to present their defense case.
The defense case, which is expected to last until mid-December, may also see the former president returning to the stand to testify.
It is not the first time Don Jr. was called to testify in the case. Earlier this month, the former president's eldest son took the stand and claimed he never worked on the annual financial statements at the heart of James' case. He also said he expects the Trump family will be "sued into oblivion" ahead of the 2024 elections, wherein his father is expected to rerun for president.
It is unclear how long the New York civil fraud trial will last. However, if the Trump family is found guilty, they may be required to pay a $250 million penalty. Judge Arthur Engoron, who is presiding the nonjury case, may also bar the former president and his fellow defendants from doing business in New York.
Donald Trump Jr. speaks as he leaves the courtroom after testifying in his civil fraud trial at New York State Supreme Court on November 13, 2023 in New York City. Trump Jr. is the first witness called by the Trump defense team during the civil fraud trial concerning allegations that he, his brother Eric, and former President Donald Trump conspired to inflate Trump Sr.'s net worth on financial statements provided to banks and insurers to secure loans. New York Attorney General Letitia James has sued seeking $250 million in damages.
