Donald Trump Jr. will be the first witness called by the former president’s lawyers next week as they kick off their defense case at the $250 million civil fraud trial against the family, according to Trump’s legal team.
New York Attorney General Letitia James rested her case on Wednesday after her office called Ivanka Trump as their 25th and final witness since trial began six weeks ago.
The former president’s side is expected to present their case beginning on Monday, through Dec. 15.
Don Jr., 45, was called last week by James’ side and was questioned for under four hours spread over two days.
Trump lawyers did not cross-examine the eldest son — presumably because they had plans to recall him as a witness in their own case.
Cross-examination can only cover topics that were already covered on direct questioning. By recalling a witness instead of cross-examining them, a lawyer can better control the narrative of the testimony.
Eric, 39, was also called by the AG’s office last week and not cross-examined by Trump’s side. Trump lawyer Christopher Kise has already said he plans to recall Eric during the defense case.
It is unclear whether the former president, 77, or Ivanka, 41 — who testified on Monday and Wednesday respectively — will be recalled by defense.
The father and daughter are not currently scheduled for next week, according to a source with knowledge of the case. Trump’s legal team did not comment on whether they would be called next week.
Ivanka, unlike her other three family members, was cross-examined by Trump’s lawyers on Wednesday — which could be an indication she will not be recalled by defense.
The former first daughter unsuccessfully fought to stay out of court and was forced by Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron — and later an appeals court — to answer the AG’s subpoena to take the witness stand.
All four Trumps were originally defendants in the AG’s case accusing Trump of lying on yearly financial statements, inflating his assets by billions a year to get better loan and insurance terms.
But Ivanka was dismissed from the case in June when an appeals court found the claims against her fell outside of the statute of limitations.
All three siblings denied having any involvement in their dad’s statements of financial condition.
Testimony by Don Jr. and Ivanka was noticeably less tense than their father and Eric’s was.
The elder son used humor to diffuse courtroom tension and deflected responsibility by claiming he relied on the accountants to manage the financial statements.