Trump Rebuked the Judge in His Fraud Trial

On the final day of his civil fraud trial in Manhattan, Donald Trump unleashed a spate of insults directed at the New York attorney general and the judge overseeing the case. He accused both of them of pursuing their own political agendas and declared himself “an innocent man.”

The judge instructed the former president’s lawyer to “control your client.” But Trump steamed on for several minutes, arguing the attorney general “should pay” him for what he’s gone through.

The episode was a dramatic conclusion to a monthslong trial during which the New York attorney general, Letitia James, accused Trump of violating state law by inflating the value of his properties. James is looking to extract a $370 million penalty, and to oust the former president from his own company and from the wider world of New York real estate.

Trump’s court appearance was not mandatory. Instead, with just four days before the Iowa caucuses, he appears to be making a calculation that it is politically advantageous for him to show up, our political correspondent Lisa Lerer told me.

“Trump realizes that when he appears in court, his fund-raising shoots up,” Lisa said. “It motivates his base, which sees him as persecuted by the courts and the Biden administration. It also blocks his rivals in news coverage.”

Go deeper: We talked to Iowa Republicans grappling with their choices.

Inflation data showed a bumpy but intact cool-down

Consumer price data released today showed that inflation continued to moderate at the end of 2023, capping a year in which inflation finally cooled in earnest.

Prices climbed 3.4 percent in the year through December — up from 3.1 percent in November — which was more than economists had forecast. However, after stripping out volatile food and fuel prices, “core” prices climbed 3.9 percent in the year through December, down from 4 percent. It was the first time the core index had dropped below 4 percent since May 2021.

The U.N.’s top court heard a genocide case against Israel

South African representatives argued today at the International Court of Justice in The Hague that Israel was acting with “genocidal intent” in Gaza. They cited as evidence the words of an Israeli official who described the war against Hamas as fighting “human animals.” Israel categorically denies the accusation, and will present its defense tomorrow.

To constitute genocide, there must be a proven intent on the part of the perpetrators to physically destroy a national, ethnic, racial or religious group, according to the U.N. Genocide Convention. The hearings are the first time that Israel has defended itself in such a setting, attesting to the gravity of the indictment and the high stakes for the country’s international reputation.

A final ruling could take years to arrive.

U.S. aid to Ukraine was poorly tracked

More than $1 billion worth of shoulder-fired missiles, kamikaze drones and night-vision devices that the U.S. has sent to Ukraine have not been properly accounted for by American officials, according to a new Pentagon report. Officials warned that the high rate of missing weapons and technologies had raised concerns that the weapons could be stolen or smuggled.

The report, which stops short of saying that any weapons have been misused, comes at a time when an increasing number of lawmakers in Congress are skeptical about sending more military aid to Ukraine.

More top news

Regina George is back

The 2004 film “Mean Girls” — a funny and horrifying story about high school drama — was an undeniable hit: It earned $130 million in theaters, inspired a Broadway musical and continues to be endlessly quotable. And now it’s back, with a movie musical adapted from the stage show in theaters tomorrow.

Our critic said the new film, also titled “Mean Girls,” had lost some of the original’s sparkle, but “its charms and ingratiating likability remain intact.”

The end of an era for the Patriots

Bill Belichick, the enigmatic football coach who over the past quarter century helped transform the New England Patriots from a struggling franchise into a perennial powerhouse, announced today that he was leaving the team.

As head coach, he won a record six Super Bowls, becoming a revered, almost mythical figure in New England. His hoodie alone came to symbolize a blue-collar ethos embraced by fans. But recently the Patriots have fallen apart, losing 13 games this year, their most in three decades, leading to his departure.

Here’s who the Patriots might hire next.

A workout that doesn’t take exercise seriously

Take one step into one of Jaymie Parkkinen’s exercise classes in Los Angeles and you’ll quickly realize you’re not in for a typical workout. There are games of tag, bicycle horns, mini circus tents and carnival-style popcorn boxes. It’s called Clown Cardio.

Parkkinen began the classes last year, soon after his mother was diagnosed with cancer. He said he was inspired to focus more specifically on what brought him joy, and that was improv warm-ups, where goofiness and physicality are key.

Have a rollicking evening.

Thanks for reading. I’ll be back tomorrow. — Matthew

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