SAN DIEGO (CN) — Donald Trump and his lawyers continue to fight disclosure of the videotaped copies of three depositions he gave in relation to two class action suits against Trump University.
A more complete record of three depositions that took place between 2012 and January 2016 reveal a Trump that oscillates between defiance and evasion, and between attacking the lawyers seeking answers about his now-defunct real estate school and complimenting them.
The plaintiffs' lawyers in the Cohen v. Trump case argue the videotaped depositions must be considered because the transcripts do not show body language, facial expressions and "many spontaneous and ad hominem remarks that are not reflected in the paper transcript."
While Jason Forge and Rachel Jensen, the two attorneys representing the class, cite omissions of ad hominem remarks in the transcript, there are plenty of them included.
"I think the lawsuit is trying to hurt the brand and I honestly look forward to winning this case and suing your law firm for as much as we can and we will be doing that," Trump told Jensen during a deposition that took place in September 2012, according to the transcript.
Jensen responded with an "OK," to which Trump replied:
"And you individually."
Later when Jensen, trying to ferret out Trump's definition of a mentor, asked how he mentors his kids, Trump flared up.
"These are ridiculous questions," Trump said, according to the transcript. "You're not getting at anything. You are just wasting a lot of time."
Trump's ire was not restricted to Jensen either.
Plaintiff attorney Jason Forge deposed Trump twice recently — Dec. 10, 2015 in New York and Jan. 21, 2016 in Las Vegas.
At one point in the first deposition, Trump — clearly beleaguered by hours of questioning — asked Forge if he can wrap it up.
"After all these hours, you can't finish up?" Trump said. "I think it's disgraceful."
Trump's thinly veiled hostility pales in comparison to some of the fracases between Forge and Trump's lawyer Daniel Petrocelli, who was present for the depositions and frequently objected to the line of questioning.
Take the following exchange:
Petrocelli: Take the mic off. Jason, don't do that again. Don't talk to my client.
Forge: Dan, don't wave your finger at me. Okay, buddy?
Petrocelli: Don't do that again.
Forge: Don't wave your finger at me. All right?
Petrocelli: Don't do that again.
Forge: Do you understand?
Petrocelli: You're really an amateur. And, you two, stop snickering or I'm going to call it out on the record.
Forge: Dan, I don't know if your blood sugar got low or something, but you're out of control right now.
Temper flares and derogatory remarks aside, Forge and Jensen both successfully established that Trump did not personally interview any of the instructors or mentors who worked at Trump University from 2005 to 2010.
Instead, Trump represented to the lawyers that he delegated almost all matters relating to the administration of the university to Michael Sexton, the former president.
"I'm not saying I picked him, but Michael Sexton picked him and he is my arm," Trump said at one point, often repeating that Sexton was essentially his stand-in.