Maggie Haberman Explains Why Trump Is In NY At Fraud Trial — Not Iowa: Case Is ‘Deeply Personal’
New York Times correspondent and CNN analyst Maggie Haberman explained why ex-President Donald Trump is in New York for his fraud trial instead of campaigning in Iowa ahead of the caucuses there.
Trump has frequently complained about “having to be” at the trial in the fraud case brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James and presided over by Judge Arthur Engoron — instead of campaigning. Although his attendance is voluntary, Trump has chosen to attend closing arguments Thursday instead of hitting the trail with the caucuses just days away.
On Thursday morning’s edition of CNN This Morning, co-anchor Phil Mattingly noted the irony that New Yorker Haberman — bundled in a parka — is in freezing Iowa while Trump is in New York, and asked her why:
PHIL MATTINGLY: I think it’s fascinating that a lifelong New Yorker like yourself is currently in Des Moines, where you would think all politicians running for president would be. Another lifelong New Yorker was in Iowa last night, now back in New York because of this court case. And it underscores the politics and the courtroom continued convergence from a personal perspective. What does this case mean to Donald Trump?
MAGGIE HABERMAN: Yeah, it’s deeply personal to Donald Trump. This and the second E Jean Caroll trial that he’s also said that he’s planning on attending next week are, you know, cut to the core of him in different ways.
But this one is about his business. It’s about whether he continues to control his business in the way he has. It’s about the amount of damages that he will have to pay, because it’s a– part of this is a foregone conclusion, because the judge issued a partial summary judgment before the trial had even started, saying that he and his company had committed widespread, decades-long fraud. But this company is how he built this public image over a long period of time. And so there are few things that are, that he cares about as much as his business and his money.
Watch above via CNN This Morning.
