A federal judge has rejected former President Donald Trump‘s bid to speak in his own defense in the closing arguments of the blockbuster New York fraud trial.
The former president, 77, is a defendant in the case brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
His business empire in New York is on the line, and James has asked for his business to be fined $ 370 million for inflating property prices to get favorable loan deals.
An attorney for Trump informed Judge Arthur Engoron earlier this week that the former president wished to speak during the closing arguments, and the judge approved the plan, according to sources.
Now a federal judge has rescinded the move, even though Trump is still expected to appear.
More to follow