Trump pleaded the Fifth more than 440 times during his deposition in New York, answering only a question about what his name is, NBC reports

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Trump pleaded the Fifth more than 440 times during his deposition in New York, answering only a question about what his name is, NBC reports
A file photo of Donald Trump.Scott Olson/Getty Images
  • A source told NBC News Trump pleaded the Fifth more than 440 times during his deposition Wednesday.
  • Trump's attorney Ron Fischetti said Trump answered only one question: what his name is.
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During his deposition in New York on Wednesday, former President Donald Trump pleaded the Fifth more than 440 times, NBC News reported, citing a person with knowledge of the deposition.

Trump's lawyer Ron Fischetti told NBC News the only question Trump answered was one asking what his name is.

A spokesperson for the New York attorney general's office confirmed to NBC News that Trump invoked his Fifth Amendment right but did not elaborate on how many times he did so.

The deposition took place at the office of Attorney General Letitia James of New York. James is investigating whether the Trump Organization violated banking, insurance, and tax laws and whether it engaged in financial fraud.

The New York Times also spoke with Fischetti, who told the outlet the deposition, which lasted about four hours with breaks in between, involved Trump saying "same answer" over and over and reiterating that he was taking the Fifth.

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"They asked a lot of questions about valuations and golf clubs and all that stuff," Fischetti told The Times.

Fischetti also told The Times that Trump had to be talked out of answering questions from the New York attorney general's office.

"He absolutely wanted to testify, and it took some very strong persuasion by me and some others to convince him," Fischetti said.

Trump released a lengthy statement on Wednesday slamming James.

"I once asked, 'If you're innocent, why are you taking the Fifth Amendment?'" he said in the statement.

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"Now I know the answer to that question," he added. "When your family, your company, and all the people in your orbit have become the targets of an unfounded, politically motivated Witch Hunt supported by lawyers, prosecutors, and the Fake News Media, you have no choice."

After the deposition, Trump made a post on Truth Social declaring that he was leaving the attorney general's office.

"A very professional meeting. Have a fantastic company with great assets, very little debt, and lots of CASH. Only in America!" Trump wrote.

Trump famously said in the past that only members of "the mob" would take the Fifth.

"You see the mob takes the Fifth," he said in April 2018. "If you're innocent, why are you taking the Fifth Amendment?"

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Fischetti did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Insider.

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