Donald Trump zips lips as he leaves courtroom for a break during civil fraud trial

Former President Donald Trump made a motion of zipping his lips as he left the courtroom for a break during his civil fraud trial on Nov. 6, 2023.

The New York judge presiding over the civil fraud trial of Donald Trump admonished him to keep his answers concise, reminding him and the courtroom that “this is not a political rally” as the former president and leading Republican president candidate began testifying in a lawsuit accusing him of dramatically inflating his net worth.

“We don't have time to waste. We have one day to do this,” an exasperated Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engeron said at one point. At another, he said, “In addition to the answers being non-responsive, they're repetitive."

Trump's turn on the witness stand, in a case that cuts to the heart of the business brand he spent decades crafting, represents a remarkable convergence of his legal troubles and his political ventures at a time when he also faces criminal indictments while vying to reclaim the White House in 2024.

The testimony gives him the opportunity to try to use the witness stand as a campaign platform, but its under-oath format, before a judge who has already fined him for incendiary comments outside of court, also invites clear peril for a businessman and candidate famous for a freewheeling rhetorical style.

Tensions between Engeron and Trump, already on display last month when the judge fined him $10,000 for incendiary outside-of-court comments, were evident Monday when the ex-president was repeatedly scolded about the length and content of his answers.

[maryabreu]

He found the perfect response... silence is golden

[russellhopson]

Wow never thought I would see this! And not a word. Incredible Trump not talking this is a first. 😮

[Bruce-nz]

Now there's something I thought I'd never see

[audreywilborn]

Then back in court the Judge couldn't get him to shut up .

[luisrocha]

Gees, he doesn't look well, but his convoluted mind won't let him stop. Not a genius 😮

[ricks]

Can he sow his lips closed then WEdont have to listen to his whinning

[aperson]

He just can’t seem to stop putting on a show. Everyone else walking in and out of that courtroom didn’t even look at the cameras much less talk or make gestures. But not Donald. 🤦‍♀️ he immediately searches out the camera and acts up.

[carebeartooky]

He most likely went into some room with his lawyers and started throwing chairs around screaming, "witchhunt!!!"😅😂

[richardmcdowell]

Were they able to install Trumps golden toilet in the courthouse? Just in case!

[thelawnguys]

Please move your caption so it’s visible and not blocked by Subscribe

[MrBetc]

Has taken him how many years to zip his lips?

[robertgonzalez]

Zipper up Trump or pay more you got money 😂

[danielleferguson]

just call me
" MICKEY D's " ..
CUZ ' 👁️' M LOVIN' IT!
PURPLE 💜 GIRL

[TroutBoneless]

Hes such a child lmfao "nuh uhh, the mean judge said im not allowed to talk!"

[Al-sqti]

And the circus clown 🤡 🎪 is back in town

[RaymondTorres.ers]

Why would we want a problem like him as a president?

[coreyc]

Actually his ban to talk has been lifted as it was a rights violation!

[susansellars]

First time for everything, its about time he zipped his lips!

[LivinClean-pe]

For him that's like checking into a detox

[Unknown-Element]

He will never serve a day in prison but will remain the legend he once and always will be. Donald Trump 2024