Letitia James calls former president’s appearance at civil trial a ‘political stunt’ and a ‘fundraising stop’

The New York attorney general, Letitia James, told reporters on Wednesday that “the Trump show is over” as the third day of the former US president’s civil fraud trial wrapped up in Manhattan.

James and Trump both returned to the trial a day after Trump ran afoul of the judge by denigrating a key court staffer in a social media post.

Outside court, James called Trump’s appearance at the civil trial – which he is not required to attend – a “political stunt” and a “fundraising stop”.

Trump has spent the first three days of the trial attacking James and Judge Arthur Engoron in press gatherings outside court. He is expected to return to Mar-a-Lago on Wednesday.

“I will not be bullied,” James said. “Justice will be served.”