Courtroom Drama

Trump gets reprimanded by the judge in his civil trial. January 12, 2024 Good morning. The civil fraud trial against former president Trump has wrapped up, and we’ve got a primer on the case and when to expect a ruling. Then we’re sharing [a moving essay by Mariska Hargitay]( that may change the way you view her iconic SVU character. Speaking of must-see TV, we’ve got [fresh details about White Lotus season 3]( and a recap of [all the stellar contenders for Monday’s Emmy awards](. And… action!   In the News [Donald Trump]( Former president Trump leaves a press conference after speaking about his civil fraud trial. (Getty Images) Courtroom Drama Donald Trump’s legal team wrapped up their closing arguments on Thursday in the $370 million civil fraud trial that could substantially impact his empire. Here’s a breakdown. The background: New York Attorney General Letitia James accused Trump, his sons Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., and other top Trump Organization execs of inflating the former president’s net worth to dupe banks and get more favorable loans. A lawyer from James’ office said Trump’s company also issued false financial statements every year between 2011 and 2021. What has Trump said about the case? The former president has denied all wrongdoing and dismissed the case as a “political witch hunt.” During the trial, Trump clashed repeatedly with Justice Arthur Engoron — who faced a bomb threat at his home on Thursday morning — and spoke out even after he was denied permission to do so. "Please control your client,” Engoron told the Republican frontrunner’s lawyers. The outcome: Engoron said he plans to issue a decision by Jan. 31. The judge seemed skeptical of an argument by one of Trump’s lawyers that the former president shouldn’t be penalized for allegedly manipulating the value of his properties because lenders and insurers still profited. Stay tuned for what could be a very consequential ruling.   More Stories [A view from the US and British naval fleet as Yemeni local sources states that US and British warplanes have carried out airstrikes]( A view from the U.S. and British naval fleet as U.S. and British warplanes carry out airstrikes. (U.S. CENTRAL COMMAND/Anadolu via Getty Images) Middle East tensions: The U.S. and U.K. carried out airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen on Thursday in response to weeks of attacks against international commercial shipping in the Red Sea. President Biden said he would “not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary.” The Iran-backed Houthis have vowed to retaliate, heightening fears of a wider regional conflict stemming from the Israel-Hamas war. Under pressure: Hardline GOP-ers are pushing Speaker Mike Johnson to abandon the spending agreement he struck with Democrats to avoid a government shutdown on January 19. Conservatives are keen to cut spending, but after a private meeting yesterday, Johnson said he'd “made no commitments” to walk away from the deal. Far from over: The FAA is investigating Boeing after last week's incident that saw an Alaska Airlines plane forced to make an emergency landing after a door plug broke away mid-air. This "should have never happened and it cannot happen again,” the FAA said. Meanwhile, six named Alaska Airlines passengers are suing Boeing in Washington, alleging the event "physically injured some passengers and emotionally traumatized most if not all aboard." No case to answer: An Ohio grand jury has decided not to charge a woman who suffered a miscarriage at home with felony abuse of a corpse. Brittany Watts, 34, had visited the hospital in the days before her miscarriage, and was told the fetus wasn't viable. After losing the pregnancy, she attempted to flush the remains down her toilet. Police charged her under an extremely rare interpretation of state law. Watts' attorney told CNN she was “demonized for something that takes place in the privacy of (women’s) homes regularly,” and legal experts and activists have highlighted how little guidance there is for managing at-home miscarriages.   On the Record As the primary field narrows, the odds are growing that we're in for a Biden-Trump rematch in 2024. As for how that race will shake out? [CBS News asked Frank Lutz](, Republican consultant and veteran pollster, for his prediction — and the answer came at a surprise to even Lutz himself. "I never dreamed that I would say this, but I would bet on Trump," he said, adding, "The guy's a survivor and his opponent is having so much trouble that I would, at this point, give the edge to Trump."   Must-Reads [Mariska Hargitay]( "I Was Terrified" In a powerful essay, Law & Order: SVU star Mariska Hargitay opened up about being raped in her thirties — and her path to healing. [Read More »]( [Silhouette of wine being poured into a glass]( Glasses Down If you've been on social media, you've likely seen someone doing Dry January. Here's how to make a sustainable change. [Read More »]( [Illustration of woman's head fading]( Warning Signs A new study reveals 15 symptoms of early-onset dementia. We explain this heartbreaking condition and what to look out for. [Read More »](   Extra Credit [Natasha Rothwell saying ''sounds great'' gif]( Giphy Checking in: Everyone's favorite HBO obsession is coming back for more five-star hotel shenanigans. Here's [everything we know about the new season of The White Lotus](, including which actors will play the starring roles. Best of the best: Speaking of prestige TV, the Emmy Awards are happening on Monday night! If you'd like to catch up on the contenders, here are [the critically acclaimed series that could take home the gold](. Functional fashion: Sick of clomping around in heavy rain boots? [These waterproof loafers from Tory Burch]( are equal parts chic and weather appropriate.   Eyes on the Prize [Barbour jackets and boots]( KCM Molner and I are fans of Barbour — their outerwear is fashionable and made to last. There’s never been a better time to scoop up a chic jacket or gorgeous pair of boots, because we uncovered [a treasure trove of on-sale styles]( at Nordstrom Rack. [SHOP HERE](   One More Thing We asked outstanding business leaders for [the biggest professional trends they're expecting in 2024](, and here's an encouraging prediction from Catherine Fisher, LinkedIn career expert: “If you’ve seen the headlines, then you know: The era of AI at work is here. One aspect I — and many U.S. workers, according to our recent data — love is the time you get back as you start using AI to assist you. With this new tool, they’re excited to focus on what they enjoy more, find better balance, learn, and connect more. And that’s enough cause for an exciting new year.”   [Know it all, and help your friends catch up, too. Share Wake-Up Call and you'll earn some superb swag.](   Thank you for reading Wake-Up Call and being part of our community! If you have questions or comments, drop us a line at info@katiecouric.cominfo@katiecouric.com. See you tomorrow! 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