Trump claims he prevented ‘nuclear holocaust’ in fraud trial deposition

During a taped deposition ahead of a civil trial in New York on allegations of fraud, Donald Trump told state attorneys that he prevented a “nuclear holocaust” during his presidency and that the US “might have a nuclear war now” without him in the White House.

The former president’s testimony from April echoes many of the comments he delivered from the witness stand when he testified during the trial in lower Manhattan several months later.

During his courtroom testimony on 6 November, Mr Trump lashed out at the judge overseeing the trial and the attorney general suing him as he defended his “brand” and business practices under fire in the case.

Months earlier, in a small conference room with attorneys for New York Attorney General Letitia James, whose office claims the former president and his chief associates defrauded banks and investors over a decade, Mr Trump said he was “too busy… saving millions of lives” to worry about the business he entrusted to his three oldest children, according to footage released by the attorney general’s office.

“I was very busy. I considered this the most important job in the world, saving millions of lives. I think you would’ve had nuclear holocaust if I didn’t deal with North Korea. I think you would’ve had a nuclear war if I weren’t elected. And I think you might have a nuclear war now, if you want to know the truth,” he said.

In the video, state attorney Kevin Wallace can be heard telling Mr Trump that he doesn’t want to spend “seven hours on nuclear war” before asking Mr Trump about his business during his time in the White House.

“I can virtually not think of anything,” Mr Trump replied before launching into a familiar tirade in defence of his properties.

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