The Fraud Trial of Trump Begins.

The civil fraud trial of Donald Trump began today in New York. This trial centers on allegations that Trump inflated the value of his assets in New York, such as Trump Tower. This is a civil trial, meaning that Trump will not be jailed if found guilty. According to an article by PBS, the New York state Attorney General Letitia James lawsuit claims that Trump purposefully lied to banks and insurance companies about the actual value of real estate and golf course holdings in New York. An article by The New York Times states that there are several New York-based properties that Trump could lose control over if he is guilty, namely Trump Tower, as well as several hotels and golf courses. It is unclear how long this trial will last, but a guilty verdict would only increase the legal pressure on Trump during the run-up to the Republican primaries.