Final arguments in Donald Trump's civil fraud trial are being heard on Thursday, with New York Attorney General Letitia James accusing Trump and top executives at The Trump Organization, including sons Eric and Donald Jr., of inflating the value of assets to obtain favorable loans.
Judge Arthur Engoron issued a partial summary judgment in September, ruling that Trump and top executives committed fraud. The rest of the trial will determine how much he will pay in damages, and rule on six other accusations, including falsifying business records, insurance fraud, and conspiracy claims. Trump denies wrongdoing.
Trump supporters have said a request to delay the trial because of the former president's mother-in-law's death on Tuesday, was denied by Engoron.
The Claim
A post on X, formerly Twitter, by Ohio Republican Rep. Jim Jordan, posted on January 11, 2024, and viewed 486,000 times, said: "President Trump's mother-in-law passed away.
"He asked Judge Engoron to delay closing arguments in his civil case because of it.
"The judge said no.
"Disgusting."
Republican Texas Rep. Ronny Jackson also shared the decision, asking X: "Can our "justice system" stoop any lower?
While Republican U.S. Senator for Alabama Tommy Tuberville posted on X: "These people are soulless."
The Facts
Jim Jordan's claim is accurate although it does not mention Engoron's reasoning or apology.
The exchange between Engoron and Trump's legal team can be found by searching the trial's case number, 452564/2022, on the New York State Unified Court System.
On Tuesday, January 9, 2024, Trump lawyer Chris Kise wrote to Engoron that "Mrs. Trump's mother passed away this evening" adding "President Trump has asked that I request the Court postpone the date for closing argument until on or after January 29, 2024, so that he may attend and participate in the Court proceedings."
Engoron replied the next day saying while he was "sorry to hear the sad news" the request was denied. The judge explained that every appearance by Trump required "court officers, court clerks, administrators, security details, technical people, etc. to rearrange their schedules and to plan for the day.
"The administration even had to 'evict' the jury trial currently taking place in Room 300 for tomorrow," Engoron wrote.
"Of course, I am also anxious to hear a full day of closing statements as I consider the case as a whole.
"On balance, going forward makes the most sense. Please tell Mr. Trump that I am sorry."
The former president honored other commitments this week despite his mother-in-law's death, taking part in a Fox News town hall in Iowa on Wednesday evening, moderated by anchors Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum.
Newsweek has contacted a media representative for Donald Trump for comment.
Melania Trump announced on Tuesday that her mother, Amalija Knavs, had died at the age of 78.
The former president had previously confirmed that his wife's absence from holiday celebrations was because she was staying with her sick mother.
During a New Year's Eve party at his Mar-a-Lago, Florida, residence, Donald Trump had said that Knavs was "very ill" and that Melania was with her mother in a hospital in Miami, describing the situation as "a very tough one."
Donald Trump described his mother-in-law as an "incredible woman" in a tribute to Knavs shared on his Truth Social platform.
"This is a very sad night for the entire Trump family!!! Melania's great and beautiful mother, Amalija, has just gone to a beautiful place in the sky," he said. "She was an incredible woman, and will be missed far beyond words!"
In a subsequent post, the former president shared a photo of himself with Knavs and captioned it, "Melania's great mother, Amalija."
The Ruling
True.
Court records show that Trump's legal team requested a delay to Trump's civil fraud trial on January 9. Judge Engoron wrote back the following day offering condolences but denied the request, highlighting the staff scheduling and organization required to do so.
FACT CHECK BY Newsweek's Fact Check team
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
