Former President Donald Trump took the witness stand on Monday to vigorously defend his wealth and business in a civil fraud trial against him. The trial, brought by the New York Attorney General, accuses Trump of inflating his net worth and deceiving banks and insurers. Trump used his testimony to not only refute the allegations but also launch personal attacks against the judge and the Attorney General, whom he called a "political hack."

Trump proudly boasted of his real estate business and insisted that he had not committed fraud but instead had been victimized by political persecution. The testy exchanges between Trump and the judge underscored Trump's unwillingness to adapt his freewheeling rhetorical style to a formal courtroom setting. However, while the trial highlighted his legal troubles, it also served as a campaign platform for Trump, who is vying to reclaim the White House in 2024.

Trump's presence on the stand allowed him to raise his claims of political persecution to his supporters once again. The trial will be decided by Judge Arthur Engoron, who has already fined Trump for incendiary comments made outside of court. Despite the contentious nature of the trial, Trump's testimony gave him the opportunity to respond directly to the allegations against him, as he vehemently denied any intent to defraud financial institutions. Trump argued that he had