In a surprising turn of events at his ongoing civil fraud trial, former President Donald Trump made headlines once again, this time for his candid remarks about his own weight. As he inspected the courtroom sketches of himself, Trump engaged in conversation with the talented artists responsible for capturing his likeness. One artist, Jane Rosenberg, described the encounter to ABC News, revealing that Trump had commented, "Nice," in response to her depiction. However, it was his interaction with Isabelle Brourman that caught the attention of onlookers.

Upon viewing Brourman's artwork, Trump exclaimed, "Wow, amazing," showcasing his appreciation for her talent. However, in a self-deprecating moment, the former president added, "Gotta lose some weight," prompting a surprised reaction from Brourman. Trump's remarks about his weight have become somewhat of a recurrent topic in recent months, with his son, Donald Trump Jr., also joining in on the courtroom sketch artist banter during his own testimony at the trial.

Interestingly, Trump's weight struggles were brought to the public's attention in a book by ex-House Republican Conference Chair Liz Cheney. According to Cheney's account, Rep. Kevin McCarthy made a special visit to Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate to uplift the former president, who was reportedly not eating due to his disappointment over the 2020 election results. McCarthy expressed concern over Trump's mental state and revealed that "They're really worried." However, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung vehemently denied Cheney's claims, accusing her of fabricating stories to promote her book.

Despite these personal concerns, Trump remained focused on the trial at hand. Attending court proceedings, the frontrunner GOP presidential candidate listened as his defense called upon Eli Bartov, a professor of accounting at NYU, to testify. Bartov asserted that the New York Attorney General's case against Trump lacked merit, further strengthening the defense's argument. Trump himself has confirmed that he will take the stand on Monday as the final witness for the defense.

Throughout the trial, Trump has consistently denied the allegations made by the AG's office, repeatedly asserting that he is a victim of a political witch hunt. This sentiment was reinforced as he interacted with the courtroom artists, delivering scathing remarks about the trial, referring to it as a “fraud” and a "witch hunt" to reporters outside the courtroom. Despite his public discontent, Trump appeared to be in a better mood inside the chamber, engaging with the sketch artists and displaying a lighter side of his personality.

As Trump's legal battles continue, the trial in New York remains a focal point. The case revolves around allegations that Trump's company manipulated the value of its properties to obtain favorable financing. The trial, which began in October, is just one of many legal challenges the former president faces as he embarks on a potential White House comeback bid. Judge Arthur Engoron, who presides over the trial, has already ruled that Trump and his adult sons manipulated financial statements to deceive banks and insurers, resulting in more favorable loan and insurance terms.

With Trump set to testify for a second time on Monday, the verdict in this non-jury trial is not expected until early next year. As the proceedings unfold, the courtroom sketch artists continue to capture the essence of this highly publicized trial, providing a unique artistic perspective on a pivotal moment in Trump's legal battles.