Trump Jr distances himself from fraud allegations

Donald Trump Jr has distanced himself from the financial statements at the centre of a civil fraud suit focused on his family’s property empire. Taking the witness stand in New York, the eldest son of the former president said he relied on accountants, adding: “That’s what we paid them for.” He later said he had “no understanding” of accountancy. The judge, Arthur Engoran, has already found the Trump family guilty of persistently inflating their net worth in order to secure financial benefits. The trial, which began in early October, is to determine whether the former president and his adult sons will have to pay upwards of $250m in fines. Donald Trump will testify next week. Hours before his son’s testimony, Trump addressed the judge on his social media platform, saying: “Leave my children alone, Engoron. You are a disgrace to the legal profession!” The FT (£)The Times (£)The Guardian