Judge Engoron scolds Trump’s lawyer for Putin comparison

New York Judge Arthur Engoron and Donald Trump lawyer Christopher Kise sparred again on Thursday as the civil fraud trial against the former president and his company continued.

Engoron reportedly ordered Kise to apologize after making a negative remark against the lead counsel in the case, sparking a back-and-forth that ultimately led to a half-hearted apology.

The pair have verbally squabbled throughout the entirety of the proceedings resulting from New York Attorney General Letitia James’ $250 million lawsuit against Trump, his adult sons and the Trump organization for purportedly inflating the value of his properties and assets in exchange for favorable loans and tax breaks. He’s denied wrongdoing.

The former president and current 2024 GOP front-runner skipped the third Republican presidential debate on Wednesday evening, instead flying down to Florida to head a campaign rally in Hialeah. He testified in the New York courtroom on Monday, following testimony from sons Donald Jr. and Eric and before his daughter, Ivanka, taking the stand.

Following a brief morning recess on Thursday, Kise reportedly made verbal jabs toward attorneys from James’ office. He told one counselor to “check the internet” for job openings.

“Vladimir Putin has some openings,” Kise said, according to The Messenger’s Adam Klasfeld.

Engoron remarked that the comment was “totally uncalled for” and “totally incorrect,” demanding that Kise apologize. The remark was “slightly” walked back.

“The world is watching,” Kise said.

Engoron also told Kise not to engage in ad hominem attacks against opposing counsel, according to legal analyst Lisa Rubin, which Kise obliged but insisted that the other side should also have to adhere to such wishes.

Newsweek reached out to Kise via email on Thursday for comment.

Kise’s remarks were unlike him, Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg told Newsweek via email.

“Chris Kise is a respected attorney who is a former Florida solicitor general,” Aronberg said. “These attacks seem out of character for him, so he must be playing to an audience of one.”

Kise’s comments follow fiery testimony from Trump himself on Monday, who while taking the stand to ask questions went on what some considered to be a political tirade against Engoron, James and the entire trial as a whole.

Trump’s “monologue,” as described by Klasfeld, included calling the trial “crazy.”

“I’m sure the judge will rule against me because he always rules against me,” Trump said in response.

Engoron, attempting to seize back control of the proceedings, asked Kise if he could rein in the former president.

“Mr. Kise, can you control your client, this is not a political rally, this is a courtroom. I don’t want editorializing, we’ll be here forever,” the judge said, reported Law360’s Stewart Bishop.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, Ivanka Trump took the stand and testified seemingly damning facts about past deals she was involved with over a decade while still part of the Trump Organization.

That included the acknowledgment of email communication between her and others within the company who expressed caution about inflating her father’s net worth in order to receive a loan from Deutsche Bank to purchase the Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami.