Judge Engoron Conspiracy Theory Unravels

An online conspiracy theory suggesting Justice Arthur Engoron's son has been attending Donald Trump's civil fraud trial in New York was discredited when a New York Post journalist revealed the bearded figure in question was actually him.

On Tuesday Trump shared a post on his Truth Social website from Laura Loomer, a far-right activist who has called Islam "a cancer," claiming to identify Ian Engoron in the courtroom and suggesting he "may be financially benefitting from the Trump trial." However in a post on X, formerly Twitter, New York Post court reporter Ben Kochman revealed "the guy in the photo is me."

Trump, his adult sons and the Trump Organization are accused of deliberately inflating their assets to secure more favorable bank loans in a $250 million case brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James.

In September Justice Engoron concluded Trump had committed fraud in a pre-trial ruling that the former president branded "un-American" and claimed had violated his civil rights. Trump has strongly denied the allegations against him which he has suggested are politically motivated.

On November 7, Loomer shared images from the Manhattan courtroom, with red arrows drawn to identify the man she claimed was Ian Engoron, the judge's son.

She wrote: "Judge Arthur Engoron has made the Trump trial a family affair and potentially has reserved seats for his son, Ian Engoron, who may be financially benefiting from the Trump Trial via his position at an Democrat activist law firm in New York City, and his father's position as the judge overseeing Trump's trial in NYC." Loomer didn't provide any evidence that Ian Engoron was "financially benefiting" from the trial in any way.

Loomer's post was shared by George Santos, then a House Republican representing New York's third congressional district though he has since been expelled and is facing a 23-count federal indictment, to which he has pleaded not guilty. The renegade lawmaker wrote: "Laura's findings are significant, and I have flagged them for my colleagues on the Oversight Committee to investigate further and determine if there is any misconduct that would result in a monetary benefit to the judge's son.

Trump shared a screenshot featuring both Santos' message, and part of Loomer's original post, on his Truth Social account on Tuesday, without adding any additional comment.

In response, on X, Kochman wrote: "Donald Trump keeps re-posting a photo of a bearded man at his civil fraud trial.

"He's signal-boosted claims that the guy is the son of the judge—and that this somehow is a scandal. There's just one problem. The guy in the photo is me."

In an article for the New York Post, Kochman said he was inspired to speak out after Trump "signal-boosted the photo of me sitting a few rows into the court gallery" on Tuesday, having previously "felt it wasn't worth giving any air."

Jokingly Kochman added: "Lawyers for Trump and New York Attorney General Letitia James are due back in court Jan.11 for closing statements in the non-jury fraud trial.

"I plan to be there as well, beard and all. Or maybe I'll keep them guessing with a mustache."

Newsweek has reached out to a Donald Trump spokesperson for comment by email and Loomer via X.

In October, Engoron fined Trump $15,000 in two separate incidents after he posted disparaging social media posts about a court staffer, violating a gag order. The gag order was temporarily lifted in mid-November by New York appellate judge David Friedman, before being re-applied.