The high-stakes civil fraud case against former President Donald Trump and his family reached a critical point this week as Ivanka Trump took the stand in New York Supreme Court. The trial, which accuses the Trump family of inflating assets to secure favorable loans, has already found Donald Trump and his two adult sons, Eric and Donald Jr, liable for fraud. The case threatens to strip the family of prized New York properties, including Trump Tower.

Ivanka Trump had fought hard to avoid testifying in the case, arguing that she had distanced herself from the Trump Organization and could not leave her children during a school week. However, her claims were rejected by the court, and she was compelled to take the stand.

Speaking softly into the microphone, Ivanka began her testimony on Wednesday morning. The stakes are high for the Trump family, as New York Attorney General Letitia James seeks $250 million in fines and severe business restrictions. The prosecutor emphasized that Ivanka was "very much involved" in the family business and played a significant role in securing financing for properties such as Trump Doral Golf Resort, Trump Chicago, and the Old Post Office in Washington, DC.

State attorneys argue that Ivanka's involvement in securing financing with Deutsche Bank was crucial to obtaining low-interest loans for the Trump Organization. These loans required a personal guarantee from Donald Trump and evidence of his liquidity and net worth. The prosecution claims that Donald Trump's annual financial statements, which were allegedly inflated, were central to these loans and saved him over $100 million.

Throughout her testimony, Ivanka maintained a low profile and spoke softly. She has kept a distance from her father's 2024 presidential campaign and has moved to a Miami island enclave since the end of the Trump administration.

Ivanka's testimony follows her father's heated and controversial testimony on Monday, where he criticized the trial as unfair and politically motivated. Donald Trump acknowledged that valuations for his real estate properties were not always accurate but argued that these errors were irrelevant to the financial institutions that used them to price deals.

The trial has been described as a disaster for the Trump family from a legal perspective. Legal analysts believe that salvaging their case now will be a herculean task, and some predict that Donald Trump will lose the case "badly." If the worst-case scenario unfolds, Judge Arthur Engoron could bar Trump and his fellow defendants from doing business in New York and issue fines of at least $250 million in penalties.

The Trump family's defense team, led by veteran attorney Chris Kise, faces an uphill battle in salvaging their case. They may attempt to introduce new evidence or provoke the judge to give them grounds for an appeal. However, experts suggest that the defense team has failed to undermine the state's case, as key documents have already been ruled false, and evidence has been presented to show intent to defraud.

The trial is expected to continue until mid-December, with the Trump family members being the last witnesses called by the prosecution. The defense's ability to turn around the case remains uncertain, and legal experts believe it will be challenging for the Trump family to avoid severe consequences if they are found liable for fraud.