Trump rejected by 30 companies as he seeks bonds in $454 million judgment

Donald J. Trump’s lawyers announced Monday that he had failed to secure a bond of about half a billion dollars in his civil fraud case in New York, arguing that it was “a practical impossibility.”

The filing, which came a week before the bond’s maturity date, raised the prospect that the former president could face a financial crisis unless an appeals court comes to his rescue. Mr. Trump has asked the appeals court to suspend the $454 million judgment that a New York judge imposed on Mr. Trump last month or accept bail of just $100 million.

The former president has been unable to secure full bail, his lawyers said in court Monday, despite “diligent efforts.” Those efforts have included approaching about 30 companies, and yet they say he has encountered “insurmountable difficulties.”

The judge in the civil fraud case, Arthur F. Engoron, imposed the fine and other penalties on Mr. Trump after concluding that he had fraudulently inflated his assets to obtain favorable loans and other benefits. The case, brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James, poses a serious financial threat to Mr. Trump.

He must post an appeal bond in excess of that amount – possibly more than $500 million to reflect the interest he will owe – to prevent Ms James from seizing his assets on March 25.

This is a developing story and will be updated.