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Trump cannot give his own closing argument, judge in civil fraud trial says

New York Democrat Attorney General Letitia James is seeking for Trump to be ordered to pay more than $370 million.

Published: January 10, 2024 1:12pm

Updated: January 10, 2024 1:13pm

A New York judge on Wednesday rescinded permission allowing former President Donald Trump to make his own closing argument in his civil fraud trial.

After Trump's attorneys objected to Judge Arthur Engoron's demand that the former president only discuss "relevant" matters during closing arguments, the judge rescinded his permission, The Associated Press reported.

New York Democrat Attorney General Letitia James is seeking for Trump to be ordered to pay more than $370 million and be banned alongside his two eldest sons from serving as officials of a company in the state. 

Engoron said Trump would have to limit his closing remarks to only include "commentary on the relevant, material facts that are in evidence, and application of the relevant law to those facts," and said he could not "comment on irrelevant matters" or "deliver a campaign speech," among other things. 

Christopher Kise, Trump's attorney, said those parameters were not fair and the former president could not follow them.  

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