In a high-profile trial, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, the two oldest sons of former President Donald Trump, took the stand on Thursday as witnesses in the $250 million New York fraud case against the Trump family and business. This development marks a significant moment in the legal battle that has the potential to impact Trump's business operations in the state.

The trial, led by New York Attorney General Letitia James, centers around allegations of a decadelong scheme to artificially inflate Trump's net worth by billions of dollars. The motive, according to the civil lawsuit, was to secure various financial benefits such as tax advantages and better loan terms. The case poses a substantial threat to Trump's ability to conduct business in New York, where his operations have long been based.

Donald Trump Jr., who began his testimony on Wednesday afternoon, resumed speaking in the morning session. In his testimony, he stated that he primarily relied on the expertise of accountants and did not recall working on the financial records under scrutiny. As the court reconvened, Eric Trump, described in the lawsuit as being responsible for the overall management and operation of the Trump Organization, also took the witness stand before noon.

Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron has already found Trump and the other defendants liable for fraudulent misstatements of asset values on financial statements, casting a negative light on the Trump Organization's practices. The trial, which is being conducted without a jury, focuses on six additional claims brought forward by Attorney General James.

The Trump brothers and co-defendants arrived together at the Manhattan Supreme Court on Thursday morning, marking the first appearance of the Trump family in the trial. The former president himself is expected to testify on Monday, while his daughter Ivanka Trump is scheduled to take the stand on November 8. Ivanka was originally listed as a co-defendant but had been removed from the case earlier this year on statute-of-limitations grounds by a New York appeals court.

Prior to the trial, Donald Trump targeted Judge Engoron in a post on his new social media platform, Truth Social, calling him a "Trump hating" judge. Trump also made unsubstantiated claims that James' lawyers "want to settle" the case. The trial is still ongoing, and updates will be reported as they become available.

This trial is not only a legal battle but also a critical test for the Trump family, as its outcome could have far-reaching implications for their future business endeavors in New York. The $250 million fraud case against the Trump family and business continues to unfold, captivating public attention, and shaping the narrative around Trump's financial practices.