Ivanka Trump is set to testify Wednesday in the $250 million fraud case against her dad and brothers — after her failed bid to avoid the witness stand.
The former first daughter’s testimony will round out questioning of Trump family members — which began with Don Jr. and Eric last week and the former president on Monday.
Questioning of Ivanka by the New York Attorney General’s Office — which is prosecuting the case — is expected to last from roughly 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Trump’s team’s cross-examination of her could last through Thursday morning.
Ivanka, 41, tried to get out of showing up for the Manhattan Supreme Court trial but Justice Arthur Engoron — and an later an appeals court — rejected the request.
The businesswoman and mother of three was previously a defendant alongside her family but was dismissed from the case in June by an appeals court which found the allegations against her fell outside of the statute of limitations.
Ivanka’s lawyer Bennet Moskowitz argued last month that she hasn’t lived in New York nor worked there since 2017.
Trump lawyer Christopher Kise noted that her presence in court would create another “circus day” at trial allegedly orchestrated by the AG’s office to draw more media to the courtroom.
But AG lawyer Kevin Wallace argued that Ivanka was “very much still involved” at Trump Org even though she hasn’t been an exec with the company since 2017.
“Ms. Trump has clearly availed herself of the privilege of doing business in New York,” said the judge.
“I want to see her in person. That is how we prefer testimony,” Engoron said.
Ivanka will be the last witness to be called by the AG’s office.
Once she conclude her testimony, Trump’s side will start its case.
Trump’s roughly four hours on the stand Monday were marked by multiple clashes between him and his lawyers and Engoron.
The real estate tycoon gave long-winded answers to yes-or-no questions, according to the judge who asked more than once for Trump to stop making “speeches” from the stand.
During one such rambling answer from Trump, he yelled and pointed at the judge claiming Engoron carried out a fraud on him and calling the AG a “political hack.”
Trump’s lawyers said Monday that they planned to call Don Jr. and Eric as part of their case, as they did not cross-examine the two elder Trump sons when they were called by the AG’s office.
It was not immediately clear whether Trump or his daughter would be recalled by his lawyers.
The attorneys said they will likely be done with their case by Dec. 15.