Donald Trump Blasts 'Corrupt' Judge Arthur Engoron & AG Letitia James After Posting $175M Bond
By Favour Adegoke on April 2, 2024 at 11:00 AM EDT
Donald Trump has taken to social media to blast the judge in his New York civil fraud case after making good on the $175 million bond.
Trump was ordered to pay almost $355 million in penalties plus nearly $100 million in interest after Judge Arthur Engoron found him guilty of lying about his wealth to obtain favorable loan deals.
He faced the possibility of asset seizure after he delayed paying the $454 million penalty before judges agreed to reduce the amount needed to stop the judgment's enforcement.
Donald Trump Slams Judge Arthur Engoron After Posting $175 Million Bond
The former president took to his Truth Social platform to slam the judge presiding over his New York civil fraud case after he posted the $175 million bond.
"I've just posted a 175 Million Dollar Bond with the sadly failing and very troubled State of New York, based on a Corrupt Judge and Attorney General who used a Statute that was never used for this before, where no Jury was allowed, my financial statements were conservative and had a 100% perfect caution/non-reliance clause, there were no victims (except me!), there was no crime or damage, there was only success and HAPPY BANKS," Trump wrote, per Newsweek.
Knight Specialty Insurance Company posted the $175 million bond, which Trump needed to meet by Thursday.
On the verge of this development, one of Trump's lawyers, Alina Habba, shared that Trump now "looks forward to vindicating his rights on appeal and overturning this unjust verdict."
The Former President Was Faced With A Hefty Fine Of $454 Million
It comes after Trump was found guilty of inflating his net worth to secure more favorable business loans in a civil fraud case brought against him and the Trump organization by New York Attorney General Letitia James.
The penalty accrued to over $450 million with interest as he faced a deadline to pay up or risk the seizure of his assets. According to reports, Trump had difficulty paying the huge amount, with over 30 surety entities denying his request for coverage of the bond.
In a subsequent filing to a New York appeals court last week, the former president's legal team asked that he be allowed to post a smaller amount for the appeal bond, calling the full amount a "practical impossibility."
The Appeals Court Reduced The Bond Amount And Granted Him A 10-Day Deadline Extension
He was given a reprieve as the court granted his motion to pay a smaller amount to begin the appeal process and forestall the seizure of his assets.
"We will abide by the decision of the Appellate Division and post either a bond, equivalent securities, or cash," Trump posted on his Truth Social platform to react to the judgment in his favor.
He added, "This also shows how ridiculous and outrageous [Judge Arthur] Engoron's original decision was at $450 Million. I DID NOTHING WRONG, AND NEW YORK SHOULD NEVER BE PUT IN A POSITION LIKE THIS AGAIN. BUSINESSES ARE FLEEING, VIOLENT CRIME IS FLOURISHING, AND IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THIS BE RESOLVED IN ITS TOTALITY AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU!"
Donald Trump Sells 'God Bless The USA' Bibles For $59.99 Amid Mounting Legal Bills
The presumptive Republican Party nominee recently posted a video on his Truth Social platform where he urged his followers to buy the "God Bless the USA Bible," inspired by country singer Lee Greenwood's patriotic ballad.
"Happy Holy Week! Let's Make America Pray Again. As we lead into Good Friday and Easter, I encourage you to get a copy of the God Bless the USA Bible," Trump wrote, directing his supporters to a website selling the book for $59.99.
"All Americans need a Bible in their home, and I have many. It's my favorite book," Trump said in the video, per AP. "I'm proud to endorse and encourage you to get this Bible. We must make America pray again."
In addition to the King James Version translation, it contains copies of the U.S. Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the Declaration of Independence, and the Pledge of Allegiance. It also features a handwritten chorus of the famous Greenwood song.
The move came amid reports of a cash crunch, especially due to his mounting legal bills and his inability to pay the $454 million bond at the time.
He has already posted a $92 million bond in connection with defamation cases brought by the writer E. Jean Carroll, who accused Trump of sexual assault.
Judge Expands Gag Order In Donald Trump's Hush Money Case Trial
As the countdown to the billionaire politician's hush money deal trial draws near, a New York judge has expanded his gag order following the constant social media attacks by Trump against the case, prosecutors, the legal system, and even the judge's daughter.
Judge Juan Merchan warned that Trump's behavior was a threat to anyone involved in the case and was even tantamount to an attack on the rule of law.
"It is no longer just a mere possibility or a reasonable likelihood that there exists a threat to the integrity of the judicial proceedings. The threat is very real. Admonitions are not enough, nor is reliance on self-restraint," Merchan wrote in the order, per CNN.
Trump subsequently took to his Truth Social platform to react to the news, calling for Merchan to be "recused" and the case "thrown out" as he returns to the campaign trail.
