Donald Trump Fumes Over Potential Property Seizures As Deadline Nears: 'I Have Done Nothing Wrong!'
By Favour Adegoke on March 25, 2024 at 12:15 PM EDT
Donald Trump is displeased with the prospect of his properties being seized due to the $464 million fine imposed on him in the New York civil fraud case verdict.
Taking to his Truth platform, the former president vented about the possibility of it occurring, slamming Judge Arthur Engoron, who oversaw the case, and the prosecutor, New York Attorney General Letitia James.
He also claimed that it was a case of election interference conceived by the "White House" to hinder his campaign funding efforts.
Donald Trump Says He Has 'Done Nothing Wrong'
In February, Ergoron ruled that the Republican frontrunner should be fined approximately $355 million for falsifying his business documents to increase the worth of his assets. The amount has since grown to $464 million due to interest accrued over time.
With the deadline for the payment drawing near, the pressure has intensified on Trump, and he was recently seen coming out gun blazing against the possibility of his properties being seized if he fails to pay the fine.
Trump ranted on his Truth social media platform, per Newsweek, "Why should a Crooked, highly political New York Judge, Arthur Engoron, working in concert and coordination with an even more Corrupt Attorney General, Letitia' Peekaboo' James, his Puppet Master, and the White House, be allowed to take away, and sell off, very successful properties and assets that took me years to zone, build and nurture into some of the best of their kind anywhere in the World - WHEN I HAVE DONE NOTHING WRONG!"
Donald Trump Calls The Fine 'Ridiculous' And 'Completely Unheard Of'
Trump continued fuming in his post, saying that the fine was "ridiculous and completely unheard of" and that it was only imposed because they saw a "similar amount" in his bank account.
He went further to say that the funds were earmarked for his re-election campaign, alleging that the imposition of the fine was a deliberate attempt to thwart his plans.
Trump continued, "I had intended to use much of that hard-earned money on running for president. They don't want me to do that—ELECTION INTERFERENCE!"
The New York AG Will Seek 'Judgment Enforcement Mechanisms' In Court
The deadline for Trump to pay the fine or come up with a bond is March 25. If he fails to meet the deadline, James can legally approach the court to grant it the authority to start seizing the former president's high-profile properties in New York.
The New York attorney general had previously indicated her desire to utilize this move if Trump defaults.
"If he does not have funds to pay off the judgment, then we will seek judgment enforcement mechanisms in court, and we will ask the judge to seize his assets," James said in an interview with ABC News.
James noted in the interview that she had her "eyes set" on Trump's 40 Wall Street building. The AG also slammed the former president's claim that he was being tried for a "victimless" crime.
The Ex-President Recently Asked An Appeal Court To Aid Him
In the meantime, Trump has yet to reveal how his fine will be paid, although he recently asked an appeals court to intervene in the matter.
In a motion filed by his lawyers, the billionaire mogul claimed that he faces "insurmountable difficulties" that have prevented him from raising the bond after he was reportedly rejected by over a dozen surety companies.
The attorneys told the court that the companies Trump approached demanded collateral worth roughly 120% of the judgment amount, totaling $557 million in this case, which they felt was counterproductive.
The attorneys also claimed that Trump would need to pay a 2% annual fee to secure a bond and that it would require an upfront payment of two years worth $18 million. This amount won't be refunded even if Trump wins his appeal.
Donald Trump Appealed To His Supporters To Help Him Raise The Bond
Last week, Trump made a desperate plea to his supporters to help him post the bond. The former president's plea, delivered through his joint fundraising committee, urged backers to donate $20.24 to $3,300 or beyond as the deadline date to pay up approaches.
In the message, Trump vehemently declared, "KEEP YOUR FILTHY HANDS OFF OF TRUMP TOWER," which is one of his properties James has stated she is interested in seizing.
At the time, he also alleged that his legal troubles were a "witch hunt" backed by President Joe Biden, though Biden has previously denied involvement in Trump's legal matters.
"I'm calling on ONE MILLION Pro-Trump patriots to chip in and say: STOP THE WITCH HUNT AGAINST PRESIDENT TRUMP!" the message also read.
