Judge Engoron has continued to interrupt the former president, imploring him to refrain from lengthy responses as Trump has remained calm and measured while attacking the judge and making political pronouncements.

"I beseech you to control him," Engoron barked at Trump's attorney, Christopher Kise. "If you can't, I will."

Kise has attempted to argue that Trump is entitled to answer questions in his own way.

"This is a situation where you have on the stand a candidate for president of the United States. Being here takes away from that effort," Kise said. "The court needs to hear what he has to say about these statements."

"No, I am not here to hear what he has to say," Engoron shot back.

When Trump attorney Alina Habba attempted to weigh in, Engoron raised his voice, telling her, "Sit down already! Sit down."

After a moment's pause, Trump weighed in with a measured tone.

"This is a very unfair trial," Trump said. "I hope the public is watching."

"Mr. Kise -- can you control your client? This is not a political rally. This is a courtroom," Judge Engoron told Trump attorney Chris Kise following a politically charged answer from the former president. He added, "Maybe you should have a talk with him right now."

State attorney Kevin Wallace then restated his question, and Trump responded briefly. Within minutes, Engoron grew frustrated again.

"Stricken, stricken, stricken," the judge shouted from the bench.

Asked by State attorney Kevin Wallace about his 2014 statement of financial condition, Trump took a swipe at Judge Engoron.

"First of all, it's so long ago -- this is well beyond the statute of limitations," Trump said. "But I'm sure the judge will rule against me because he always rules against me."

Engoron, who had already directed Trump to answer concisely and avoid lengthy narrative responses, stepped in, addressing Trump's attorney Christopher Kise.

"Mr. Kise, was that relevant to the narrative?" he asked.

"This is an unusual situation and an unusual trial," Kise replied. "I think it's fair for the court to hear his position. I certainly think it's fair for the American people to hear his position."

"The comment that I always rule against him ... certainly didn't answer the question," Engoron said. "You can attack me -- you can do whatever you want. Please just answer the questions."

Less than 10 minutes into his direct examination, Donald Trump took an opportunity to criticize the investigations and prosecutions that have dogged his life after the presidency.

"You and every other Democratic district attorney, AG, U.S. Attorney were coming after me from 15 different sides. All Democrats, all Trump haters," Trump said unprompted.

State attorney Kevin Wallace attempted to begin his direct examination by asking Trump his revocable trust -- the mechanism that Trump used to prevent business conflicts during his presidency.

"I thought there may be a conflict of interest, so I formed the trust," Trump said, describing his son and trustee Donald Trump Jr. as "a hard working boy, young man."

Asked about former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg, who also was a trustee, Trump spoke highly of his former employee, who later pleaded guilty to tax evasion.

"He did a good job, he was very good at what he did," Trump said. "We really liked him for a long time.'

Trump said that he briefly resumed control of his trust in 2021 before returning control back to Donald Trump Jr. so he could return to politics.

"He was impressive in business, as was Eric. I thought that I would do that while I continue en route to politics," Trump said before decrying the political motivation of his multiple criminal cases.

Judge Arthur Engoron has already advised Trump to limit the length of his answers.

"I would like things to move along a little faster. Please answer the questions, no speeches," Engoron said.

State attorney Kevin Wallace concluded his direct examination of the New York attorney general's second and final rebuttal witness amid frequent objections by defense lawyers.

Lewis attempted to explain how Donald Trump's statements of financial condition failed to disclose that he did not conduct a discounted cash flow analysis, contributing to the over-valuation of some of his assets.

"There is no mention of discounting or future value in the disclosure," Lewis said, disagreeing with testimony from defense expert Jason Flemmons -- as well as former Mazars USA accountant Donald Bender, who testified as a state witness.

“Are you impeaching your own witness?” Engoron asked state attorneys regarding whether Bender’s testimony should no longer be considered credible.

"We didn't feel the need to," Wallace responded.

Lewis also suggested that Trump's external accountants at Mazars had less of an obligation to highlight issues that Flemmons suggested, since they were only conducting a compilation report rather than a more intensive audit. While Mazars had an obligation to flag obvious issues, they were not responsible for ensuring Trump's statements were compliant with generally accepted accounting principles, he testified.

"If while doing the compilation ... something comes to the attention of the accounts that could be a GAAP departure, they have a responsibility to bring that issue to the client," Lewis said regarding generally accepted accounting principles.

During the hour-long direct examination, defense lawyers objected at least 14 times, successfully interrupting the line of questions.

"I am lost," Engoron asked at one point. "Can you put this together?"

The parade of objections visibly irritating Wallace, who voiced his displeasure.

"Petulant outbursts don't really play well in the courtroom," quipped Trump lawyer Chris Kise in response.