Former President Donald Trump's son Eric has already been deposed ahead of testifying in the civil fraud case against the Trumps in New York State. But the answers he gave are not going to satisfy anyone, argued New York Times reporter Susanne Craig on Monday's edition of MSNBC's "Deadline: White House."
This comes after Eric, who has done most of the actual work heading up the Trump Organization and who, along with his father and brother, stands to face millions in fines and the dissolution of his business, tried to downplay his actual role in the financial aspects of the company.
"It's extremely inconsistent with what my role is at the company," said Eric Trump in one section of the deposition. "I don't remember this. I'm not on here. I never signed this document," he said in another.
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"He goes on to say, Sue, 'I don't recall this. I pour concrete. I manage properties. I don't focus on appraisals. It's just not what I do in my day-to-day responsibilities,'" quoted anchor Nicolle Wallace. "Obviously, the judge has already found the company liable for fraud. What kind of witness is Eric Trump?"
"I think he's going to be — for the attorney general, I mean — they're being called as sort of hostile witnesses," said Craig. "It's interesting. I read through the depositions today, and I read through some of Don Jr.'s. I think we're going to hear a lot of 'I don't remember' and then a lot of pushback potentially about that. I mean, these are three individuals who are high executives at the company after their father left the company to go to the White House they got pay raises, you know? They're making, each of them at the time, were making a few million, $2 million a year, roughly. I mean, they should be in on this."
That's when she questioned the legitimacy of Eric Trump's claim he was doing the physical work in the day-to-day.
"I don't think Eric Trump was out pouring concrete," Craig explained. "I mean, the last time they had a new project was 2008. So — and in terms of a full construction project, I mean, they've done some rehabs and stuff like that since. But he shouldn't be pouring concrete if he's making that much money. So what was he doing?"
"I think he's going to get a lot of pushback on the statements that he doesn't remember," added Craig. "They said it so many times. Eric's full deposition is, you know — is out there. I've read it. It was amazing how many times he said he just couldn't remember. And these are properties like — Seven Springs is one he was intimately involved with. He lived there for a time. He has a long history with it. You know, I think the judge may find it hard to believe that he doesn't remember."
Watch the video below or at the link here.
Susanne Craig says Eric Trump's "pouring concrete" excuse won't flywww.youtube.com
