Former President Donald Trump will struggle to retain his composure as he testifies at his civil fraud trial in New York — in large part because his entire public image as a successful businessman hangs in the balance of this case, argued CNN legal analyst Paula Reid on Monday morning.
Reid offered her analysis as Trump entered the building and the trial proceedings began — and as Judge Arthur Engoron swiftly ordered Trump's attorneys to control his commentary.
"He has started answering questions and facing questions from the state's attorney at this point," said anchor John Berman, turning to Reid. "What are you hearing from inside of the courtroom?"
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"Well, he has been asked a couple of the preliminary questions, what was his role in a certain year, and I mean, the stuff that you would ask any witness before beginning testimony, and we expect that most of the questions today will focus on the valuation of the property, and properties like 40 Wall Street, his Doral golf club, and also Mar-a-Lago, and that's one that is really sensitive for him," said Reid.
"We have heard him talk about this as he is entering the courtroom, and the judge has found that the value around that property is $18 million and something that Trump and the lawyers have taken issue with," Reid continued. "And the challenge for Trump while he is under questioning from the prosecutor is to be composed and stick to the script that the lawyers have guided him through for the preparation, which is to emphasize that there are disclaimers in all of the valuation, and also to emphasize the valuing properties is an art and not a science."
That being said, Reid continued, "This case gets to something very close to his heart, which is his identity as a business tycoon, and we know that he has pretty thin skin, and so this is a test for him if he can remain composed. We know he can do this, because he has taken the witness stand many, many years before long before he was a candidate for White House, and right now while he is on the witness stand, the political and legal interests diverge, and we will see if he can keep the answers concise, honest and hopefully along the lines that the lawyers have prepared him to say."
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Paula Reid says Trump's very "identity" is being challengedwww.youtube.com
