The former president, Donald Trump, who led the United States from 2017 to 2021, asserted his innocence once again on the final day of a high-profile trial in New York. The setting was tense as he spoke from the defense table, and the judge, Arthur Engoron, allowed him to address the court after a ruling that had previously cautioned him about sticking to the facts of the case. The moment highlighted the ongoing tensions surrounding the case and the broader legal scrutiny facing the Trump family and their business interests. This was not merely a procedural moment; it was a deliberate attempt by Trump to frame the proceedings as a targeted political effort, a theme he would return to repeatedly in the courtroom discussions and public statements. The defense team had pressed for space for their client to speak directly to the jury and the public, underscoring the importance of direct communication in a trial that has drawn massive media attention and intense public interest.
