NEW YORK (AP) β Donald Trump invoked the Fifth Amendment and wouldn't answer questions under oath in the New York attorney general's long-running civil investigation into his business dealings, the former president said in a statement Wednesday.
Trump arrived at state Attorney General Letitia James' offices in a motorcade shortly before 9 a.m., announcing more than an hour later that he "declined to answer the questions under the rights and privileges afforded to every citizen under the United States Constitution.β
βI once asked, βIf youβre innocent, why are you taking the Fifth Amendment?' Now I know the answer to that question,β the statement said. βWhen your family, your company, and all the people in your orbit have become the targets of an unfounded politically motivated Witch Hunt supported by lawyers, prosecutors and the Fake News Media, you have no choice.β
As vociferous as Trump has been in defending himself in written statements and on the rally stage, legal experts say the same strategy could have backfired in a deposition setting because anything he says could potentially be used in the criminal investigation.
His decision comes just days after FBI agents searched his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida as part of an unrelated federal probe into whether he took classified records when he left the White House.
The civil investigation, led by state Attorney General Letitia James, involves allegations that Trumpβs company, the Trump Organization, misstated the value of prized assets like golf courses and skyscrapers, misleading lenders and tax authorities.
βMy great company, and myself, are being attacked from all sides," Trump wrote beforehand on Truth Social, the social media platform he founded. "Banana Republic!β
Messages seeking comment were left with Jamesβ office and with Trumpβs lawyer.
Photos: Donald Trump through the years
Talking politics
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1999: Possible Reform Party candidate for president Donald Trump, left, talks with Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura about being self-made men and not from the "lucky sperm club" meaning other candidates were born into wealth.Β
With Melania
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1999: Donald Trump and his girlfriend Melania Knauss enjoy a moment at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, May 1, during the 125th Kentucky Derby.
'How to Get Rich'
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Entrepreneur turned TV star, Donald Trump, is shown at at Barnes and Nobles Lincoln Square in New York, where he signed copies of his new book "How To Get Rich" on Wednesday, March 24, 2004.
On the course
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Developer Donald Trump poses next to a green side bunker on hole 11 at his new golf course, Trump National Golf Club on January 14, 2005 in Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif. (Mel Melcon/Los Angeles Times/TNS)
At Doral
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Donald Trump shows off his updated golf course by hitting a ceremonial tee shot off the first tee at Trump National Doral, Feb. 6, 2014, in Doral, Fla. (David Walters/Miami Herald/MCT)
Sarazen Cup
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Dustin Johnson celebrates with Donald Trump as he holds the Gene Sarazen Cup after winning the WGC-Cadillac Championship on Sunday, March 8, 2015, at Trump National Doral in Doral, Fla. (Patrick Farrell/Miami Herald/TNS)
With Serena
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Donald Trump, chairman of The Trump Organization, and tennis champion Serena Williams attend the grand opening of the Tennis Performance Center at the Trump National Golf Club on April 7, 2015 in Sterling, Va. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
USS Iowa
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Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump makes a campaign stop aboard the USS Iowa battleship in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2015. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times/TNS)
Debating Jeb Bush
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Republican presidential candidates Donald Trump, left, and Jeb Bush spar early in the GOP debate at the Reagan Library in Simi Valley, Calif., on Wednesday, Sept. 16, 2015. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times/TNS)
In Biloxi
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Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump greets the crowd during a rally at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi, Miss., on Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016. (John Fitzhugh/Biloxi Sun Herald/TNS)
Campaign rally
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Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally in Walterboro, S.C., on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2016. (Olivier Douliery/TNS)
Winning South Carolina
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Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump, after winning the South Carolina primary, speaks to supporters at the Spartanburg Marriott in Spartanburg, S.C., on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2016. (Olivier Douliery/TNS)
She's with him
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Barbara Tomasino of Plano, Texas shows off her dress in support for Trump at the Donald J. Trump for President Rally at the Fort Worth Convention Center on Friday, Feb. 26, 2016, in Fort Worth, Texas. (Ron Jenkins/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/TNS)
Signing autographs
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A supporter greets GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump as he signs autographs for supporters following his speech at the Cabarrus Arena on Monday, March 7, 2016 in Concord, N.C. (Jeff Siner/Charlotte Observer/TNS)
Another debate
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From left, Republican presidential candidates, Sen. Marco Rubio, Donald Trump, Sen. Ted Cruz, stand for the national anthem prior to the GOP presidential primary debate at the University of Miami's Bank United Center in Coral Gables, Fla., on Thursday, March 10, 2016. (Pedro Portal/El Nuevo Herald/TNS)
Waving to supporters
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GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump waves to supporters at Lenoir-Rhyne University on March 14, 2016 in Hickory, N.C. (Jeff Siner/Charlotte Observer/TNS)
In Arizona
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Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio, left, and former Arizona governor Jan Brewer, center, greet Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump at a rally at Fountain Park in Fountain Hills, Ariz., on Saturday, March 19, 2016. Arizona holds its presidential primary on Tuesday. (Allen J. Schaben/ Los Angeles Times/TNS)
The Trump family
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From right, Ivanka, Donald Jr.and Erik Trump listen as their father, US presidential hopeful Donald Trump, speaks at Turnberry hotel in South Ayrshire, where the Trump Turnberry golf course has been revamped, on June 24, 2016. (Andrew Milligan/PA Wire/Abaca Press/TNS)
At the convention
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Republican candidate Donald Trump introduces his wife Melania Trump on the first day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland on Monday, July 18, 2016. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
The nominee
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Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump accepts the party's nomination on the last day of the Republican National Convention on Thursday, July 21, 2016, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
The ticket
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Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump stands on stage with his family and running mate Mike Pence after accepting the party's nomination on the last day of the Republican National Convention on Thursday, July 21, 2016, at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
Showing her support
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Veronica Butler, 13, wears Trump socks as US Presidential candidate Donald Trump speaks to members of the National Association of Home Builders at the Fontainebleau Hotel on Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016 in Miami Beach, Fla. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald/TNS)
In Mexico
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President-elect Donald Trump, right, is seen at a joint press conference with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto after their Aug. 31, 2016 meeting in Mexico City, Mexico. (Str/Xinhua/Sipa USA/TNS)
Debating Clinton
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Donald Trump and and Hillary Clinton on stage during the second debate between the Republican and Democratic presidential candidates on Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016 at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. (Christian Gooden/St. Louis Post-Dispatch/TNS)
Casting his vote
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Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump casts his ballot on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2016 as he votes in New York City, N.Y. (Gary Hershorn/Zuma Press/TNS)
Election Night
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President-elect Donald Trump speaks to supporters at the Election Night Party at the Hilton Midtown Hotel in New York City on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016. (J. Conrad Williams Jr./Newsday/TNS)
In the Oval Office
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U.S. President Barack Obama meets with President-elect Donald Trump on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2016 in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C. in their first public step toward a transition of power. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
Mitt Romney
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U.S. President Donald Trump sits at a table with former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney on Nov. 29, 2016 at Jean Georges Restaurant in New York City, N.Y. (John Angelillo/Pool/Sipa USA/TNS)
The inauguration
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President-elect Donald Trump and President Barack Obama arrive for Trump's inauguration ceremony at the Capitol on Jan. 20, 2017 in Washington, D.C. (J. Scott Applewhite/Sipa USA/TNS)
Thumbs up
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President Donald Trump gives a thumb up during the 58th Presidential Inauguration on Jan. 20, 2017 in Washington, D.C. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
Taking the oath
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Chief Justice of the United States John G. Roberts, Jr. administers the oath of office to President Donald Trump during the 58th Presidential Inauguration on Jan. 20, 2017 in Washington, D.C. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
Waving goodbye
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First Lady Melania Trump, from left, President Donald Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and Second Lady Karen Pence, wave goodbye to Executive One flying off carrying outgoing President Barack Obama and outgoing First Lady Michelle Obama after President Donald Trump's inauguration as the 45th President of The United States on Jan. 20, 2017 in Washington, D.C. (Marcus Yam/Los Angeles Times/TNS)
Armed Forces Ball
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President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump dance with Vice President Mike Pence and Karen Pence at the A Salute to Our Armed Services Ball on Jan. 20, 2017 in Washington, D.C. (Kevin Dietsch/Sipa USA/TNS)
James Comey
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President Donald Trump, left, shakes hands with James Comey, then director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in the Blue Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on January 22, 2017. Trump on June 16 lashed out at the Justice Department official with authority over the special counsel probe of Russian election-meddling, and acknowledged that his firing of Comey as FBI director is a focus of the investigation. (Andrew Harrer/Pool/Sipa USA/TNS)
Trump to lay out his agenda to Congress
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U.S. President Donald J. Trump delivers his first address to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2017 at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
Thanking school children
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President Donald Trump thanks fourth-graders Janayah Chatelier and Landon Fritz for the homemade greeting cards they presented during his visit to St. Andrew Catholic School Friday, March 3, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. With the president, from left, is Jared Kushner, U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos, and Ivanka Trump. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel/TNS)
Medal of Honor recipients
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U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Medal of Honor recipients in the Oval Office of the White House on March 24, 2017 in Washington, D.C. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
Justice Anthony Kennedy swears in Neil Gorsuch
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Justice Anthony Kennedy speaks as President Donald trump shakes hands with Neil Gorsuch ibefore a swearing in ceremony at the White House Rose Garden April 10, 2017 in Washington, D.C. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
Easter Egg Roll
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President Donald Trump makes cards for members of the military at the annual Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of the White House April 17, 2017 in Washington, D.C. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
Super Bowl champs
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President Donald Trump holds a Patriots Super Bowl jersey next to coach Bill Belichick, left, and owner Robert Kraft, right, as he welcomes the Super Bowl Champions the New England Patriots to the White House on the South Lawn on April 19, 2017 in Washington, D.C. (Molly Riley/Pool/Sipa USA/TNS)
Little Sisters of the Poor
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U.S. President Donald Trump greets the Little Sisters of the Poor before signing the Executive Order on Promoting Free Speech and Religious Liberty during a National Day of Prayer Event on Thursday, May 4, 2017 in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, D.C. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
Russian foreign minister, ambassador
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From left, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, U.S. President Donald Trump, and Russian Ambassador to the United States Sergei Kislyak talk during a meeting in the Oval Office at the White House Wednesday, May 10, 2017 in Washington, D.C. (Alexander Shcherbak/TASS/Abaca Press/TNS)
At the Western Wall
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U.S. President Donald Trump visits the Western Wall on May 22, 2017 in Jerusalem. President Trump arrived in Israel for a two day visit, as part of his first trip abroad since being elected. (Jini/Xinhua/Zuma Press/TNS)
Meeting the pope
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Pope Francis meets with U.S. President Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump on Wednesday, May 24, 2017 at the Vatican. (Evandro Inetti/Vaticanpool/Hearin/Zuma Press/TNS)
Wreath-laying ceremony in Arlington
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President Donald Trump greets people as he walks through Section 60 after participating in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery on Memorial Day, May 29, 2017 in Arlington, Va. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
National champs
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Clemson Tigers players take selfie with President Donald Trump during a ceremony to honor their 2016 NCAA Football National Champion on the South Lawn of the White House June 12, 2017 in Washington, D.C. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
Congressional shooting
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President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump shake hands with Dr. Ira Rabin while leaving the MedStar Washington Hospital Center in northeast D.C., after visiting with victims of the Alexandria shooting on Wednesday, June 14, 2017. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
At the White House
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U.S President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence arrive in the East Room to participate in the American Leadership in Emerging Technology Event on Thursday, June 22, 2017 at the White House in Washington, D.C. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
Congressional Picnic
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President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump greet guests at the Congressional Picnic on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, June 22, 2017. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
Go, Cubs, go
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U.S President Donald Trump meets with the Chicago Cubs in the Oval Office of the White House Wednesday, June 28, 2017 in Washington, D.C. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
Departing the White House
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President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump depart the White House in Washington, DC, on July 12, 2017. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
USS Gerald R. Ford joins the Navy
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President Donald Trump, left, acknowledges Captain Richard McCormack, right, during the commissioning ceremony for the USS Gerald R. Ford on Saturday, July 22, 2017, at Naval Station Norfolk, Va. (Aileen Devlin/Newport News Daily Press/TNS)
The eclipse
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U.S. President Donald J. Trump, right, points skywards as he prepares to look at the partial eclipse of the sun from the Blue Room Balcony of the White House on Monday, Aug. 21, 2017 in Washington, D.C. First lady Melania Trump is at left. (Ron Sachs/CNP/Sipa USA/TNS)
9/11 anniversary
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U.S. President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump, joined by White House staff, participate in a moment of silence on the 16th anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the United States, at the White House on Sept. 11, 2017 in Washington, D.C. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
Trump addresses world leaders at U.N. General Assembly
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President Donald Trump addresses world leaders at the UN General Assembly in New York on Sept. 19, 2017. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
Las Vegas shooting
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President Donald Trump makes a statement on the mass shooting at an outdoor concert in Las Vegas in the diplomatic room of the White House in Washington, D.C, Oct. 2, 2017. More than 50 people were killed Sunday night when a gunman opened fire into a country music festival on the Las Vegas Strip. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
Trump visits Puerto Rico
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President Donald Trump and first lady Melania arrive at Muniz Air National Guard Base in Carolina, Puerto Rico on Oct. 3, 2017, almost two weeks after Hurricane Maria hit the island. (Carolyn Cole/Los Angeles Times/TNS)
Trump meets Kissinger
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U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Dr. Henry Kissinger.in the Oval office of the White House Oct. 10, 2017 in Washington D.C.. (Olivier Douliery/ Abaca Press/TNS)
With Trudeau
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U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to the White House on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017 in Washington D.C. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
Medal of Honor
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U.S. President Donald Trump presents the Medal of Honor to Vietnam war army medic retired Army Capt. Gary M. Rose of Huntsville, Ala., during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House Oct. 23, 2017 in Washington D.C. (Olivier Douliery/ Abaca Press/TS)
Happy Halloween
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U.S President Donald Trump welcomes kids dressed for Halloween in the Oval Office of the White House, on Oct. 27, 2017 in Washington, D.C. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
National Christmas Tree Lighting
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U.S President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrive on stage after they lit the National Christmas Tree at the National Christmas Tree Lightening Ceremony on Nov. 30, 2017 in Washington, D.C. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
Celebrating GOP tax plan
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President Donald Trump shakes hands with House Speaker Paul Ryan as they celebrate the tax bill's passage with members of the House and Senate on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017 during an event on the South Portico of the White House in Washington, D.C. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
March for Life
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U.S. President Donald Trump kisses a March for Life Participant in the Rose Garden of the White House Jan. 19, 2018 in Washington, D.C. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
State of the Union
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President Donald Trump delivers his first State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS
School shootings
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President Donald Trump meets with students, parents and teachers affected by mass shootings in Parkland, Fla., Newtown, Conn., and Columbine, Colo., to search for policies to keep America's schools safe in the State Dining Room of the White House on Wednesday, February 21, 2018 in Washington, D.C. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
State dinner
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President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump welcome Brigitte Macron and French President Emmanuel Macron during a state dinner arrival ceremony at the White House on Tuesday, April 24, 2018, in Washington, D.C. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
With Olympians
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2018 Snowborder gold medalist Red Gerard reacts during a celebration for Team USA following the 2018 Winter Olympics on the North Portico of the White House Friday, April 27, 2018 in Washington, D.C. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
Greeting a guest
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U.S. President Donald Trump greets guests as he walks toward Marine One while departing from the White House, on May 4, 2018 in Washington, DC. President Trump is traveling to Dallas, TX where he will participate in the National Rifle Association Leadership Forum. (Olivier Douliery/ ABACA PRESS/TNS)
Freed Americans
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U.S. President Donald Trump greets the three Americans freed from North Korea upon their arrival at Andrews Air Force Base outside Washington early Thursday morning, May 10, 2018 in Maryland. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press/TNS)
Historic summit
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Top leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un, left, shakes hands with U.S. President Donald Trump in Singapore before the first-ever DPRK-U.S. summit in June 12, 2018. (The Straits Times/Xinhua/Zuma Press/TNS)
With Kim Kardashian West
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Kim Kardashian West, who is among the celebrities who have advocated for criminal justice reform, speaks during an event on second chance hiring and criminal justice reform with President Donald Trump in the East Room of the White House, Thursday, June 13, 2019, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
In Washington
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President Donald Trump walks from the White House through Lafayette Park to visit St. John's Church Monday, June 1, 2020, in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky)
Trump North Carolina
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Former President Donald Trump speaks at the North Carolina Republican Convention Saturday, June 5, 2021, in Greenville, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Debating Joe Biden
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President Donald Trump and Democratic presidential candidate former Vice President Joe Biden participate in the final presidential debate at Belmont University, Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn.Β
Election Night 2020
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President Donald Trump speaks in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, in Washington.Β
Jan. 6
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President Donald Trump speaks during a rally protesting the electoral college certification of Joe Biden as President in Washington, Jan. 6, 2021. Many of his supporters marched to the U.S. Capitol and invaded the building, delaying the certification.
Leaving the White House
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President Donald Trump gestures as he boards Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, in Washington. Trump is en route to his Mar-a-Lago Florida Resort ahead of Joe Biden's swearing in as the 46th U.S. president.
