Donald Trump made a series of wild claims about President Joe Biden and the violence in the Middle East as he gave a speech in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Wednesday night, baselessly accusing his successor of taking drugs.
Mr Trump claimed again that the attack on “best friend” Israel by Hamas would not have happened under his watch and then praised Hezbollah as “very smart” earning a stern rebuke from the White House and an Israeli minister.
The same day, a New York court at his $250m civil fraud trial heard how Mr Trump’s claims about his net worth became a crucial factor in securing loans from Deutsche Bank.
Former risk management specialist Nicholas Haigh testified that given the niche market for some assets used as collateral — such as golf courses — the backing of a “financially strong person” was vital.
Financial statements provided to the bank were believed to be “broadly accurate” by the bank but the New York attorney general’s office maintains they were inflated.
According to media reports, Mr Trump will attend the trial for three days next week, coinciding with the testimony of his former fixer Michael Cohen.