Clearly irritated with Donald Trump’s defense lawyers, Judge Arthur Engoron slammed his fist on the bench today, berating Donald Trump’s defense lawyers for “ridiculous” cross-examination of a witness in the Republican tycoon’s fraud trial.

Tensions rose on the third day of the hearing, with Donald Trump in attendance, as defense attorneys repeated the same questions to the Republican tycoon’s former accountant for each year covered in the case file.

“This is ridiculous,” Engoron said irritably. “All I ask is that you group the questions so that we don’t waste time,” he added.

On Tuesday, Judge Engoron barred public comments about developments in the hearings, in the wake of heavy criticism – even on a personal level – of Trump on social media platforms.

The judge has also ordered the Trump Organization and other defendants’ business certificates revoked, while sanctioning defense attorneys for contributing to their clients’ “raucous” attitude and making “outrageous” legal arguments.

New York Attorney General Leticia James is accusing the former US president and his personal business of illegally inflating their assets in order to secure more favorable terms for bank loans and insurance.

The verdict is entirely at the discretion of Judge Engoron, since there is no jury. Donald Trump faces no jail time, but possible penalties if found guilty could hurt his ability to do business in New York or lose control of his company’s assets, such as the iconic Tower Trump on 5th Avenue in Manhattan.

The 77-year-old Trump, who is considered the favorite for the Republican nomination ahead of the 2024 presidential election, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing and denounced a “witch hunt”.