In a recently revealed video, former President Donald Trump boasted about his wealth, claimed to have rescued the world from a “nuclear holocaust,” and stated that he became president “because of the brand” in response to New York Attorney General Letitia James’ fraud complaint against him and his business.
In response to a question about whether he was too busy running his business while in the White House, Trump stated that, “I was very busy … I considered this the most important job in the world, saving millions of lives. I think you would have nuclear holocaust if I didn’t deal with North Korea. I think you would have a nuclear war if I weren’t elected. And I think you might have a nuclear war now, if you want to know the truth,”
Trump had vowed early in his campaign to unleash “fire and fury like the world has never seen” in response to North Korea’s persistent threat to the US. Later, he visited the nation as the first sitting president, meeting dictator Kim Jong Un for nuclear negotiations that ultimately broke down.
While the whole 479-page written transcript of the deposition was made available to the public last year, the AG’s office on Friday made portions of the video of his interrogation available.
James has charged that in order to obtain bank loans at rates to which he would not have otherwise been eligible, Trump and the Trump Organization fabricated an asset declaration. According to Trump, the financial documents that the AG claimed were greatly exaggerated were, in fact, conservative.
In the deposition, Trump stated, “We didn’t include billions of dollars in brand value.” Although the AG’s office said he included brand value for certain of the properties reported in the financial statements, the statements themselves make clear that brand value is not included.
“If I wanted to show you a good statement, I would have added maybe $10 billion or something for the brand,” Trump stated. “I mean I became president because of the brand, OK. I became president. I think it’s the hottest brand in the world.”
In addition, Trump reiterated his November trial testimony that the financial documents were virtually useless since the banks already knew him.
The trial’s closing arguments took place on January 11, and Judge Arthur Engoron is anticipated to render a decision in the upcoming weeks. James is requesting a judgment in the amount of $370 million, which her agency claims represents Trump’s unjustifiable gains from the scam.
