NEW YORK (AP) — Former President Donald Trump has been granted a 10-day extension to secure a portion of the $464 million bond he has been ordered to post in his New York civil fraud case. The appeals court ruling comes as the Republican presidential candidate has faced difficulty in paying the full amount by the original deadline. Despite claiming to be worth billions of dollars, with much of his wealth tied to the Trump Organization and his real estate holdings, Trump has struggled to come up with the money.
The original judgment against Trump in the civil fraud case was made by Justice Arthur Engoron, who found him liable for fraud and ordered him to repay the funds. The judgment also barred Trump from running a business in New York for three years and his sons for two years.
In addition to the civil fraud case, Trump is also facing charges in a hush money trial. The trial is scheduled to start on April 15, marking the first-ever criminal trial against a current or former American president. Trump has expressed his willingness to testify in the trial and has claimed that the trial is a “scam.” He has also hinted at the possibility of an acquittal, stating that he shouldn’t have a trial.
The New York Attorney General Letitia James has the power to freeze Trump’s bank accounts and seize his real estate assets if he fails to secure the bond by the new deadline. One of the properties that could be seized is Trump Tower, a Fifth Avenue skyscraper that has been integral to Trump’s personal brand.
Despite the challenges he is facing, including financial difficulties and legal battles, Trump’s social media company, Trump Media & Technology Group, is set to start trading on the Nasdaq stock market this week. The company’s flagship product, Truth Social, is a social networking site. Trump is expected to own a significant portion of the combined company, with a stake that could be valued at nearly $3 billion.
The latest developments in Trump’s legal and financial troubles have drawn attention to his future within the Republican Party. Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski has publicly expressed her uncertainty about continuing her party affiliation, as the party seems poised to nominate Trump for president again in the future. Murkowski stated that she is “independently minded” and is navigating through challenging political times.
As the various legal battles continue, Trump remains a polarizing figure in American politics, with his supporters and critics closely watching the outcome of the pending trials and their potential impact on his political future.