In New York fraud trial, Trump defense goes on offense

Former President Donald Trump substantially lost his civil fraud trial in New York before it even began. Prior to the start of testimony, Judge Arthur Engoron ruled that evidence showed Mr. Trump and other defendants were guilty of the core charge in the case: fraudulently overvaluing real estate assets.

But with punishment yet to be determined and likely appeals looming, the former president has nevertheless been mounting a ferocious multipronged defense, combining salesmanship patter with vitriolic social media attacks and testimony from sympathetic experts as he argues he is being unfairly prosecuted for a victimless crime.

The defense has continued to call witnesses this week, with Mr. Trump himself set to return to the stand on Dec. 11, according to his lawyers. It is likely to be a