Trump slams 'crooked judge' and 'terribly corrupt' AG Letitia James as he accuses Democrats of 'election interference' after being fined $355 million for civil fraud
Donald Trump said the justice system and America “as a whole” are “under fire” after his family business in New York was fined $364 million for fraud.
The former president called Attorney General Letitia James “racist” and stormed into the city, where he had $690 million in real estate, for trying to “kick him out.”
The 77-year-old said he helped New York with his business deals during “the worst of times” and that it is now “overrun by violent Biden migrant crime.”
Donald Trump said the justice system and America “as a whole” are under fire after his family business in New York was fined $364 million for fraud.
He relied on his Truth Social report after Judge Arthur Engoron announced the devastating ruling that banned him from being a director of a New York firm for three years.
His sons Don. Jr and Eric were also each fined more than $1 million and banned for two years.
Trump, who is worth $2.5 billion according to Forbes, now has 30 days to come up with the money or post a $35 million bond.
He is likely to appeal the verdict, which would have devastating consequences for his real estate empire, not just in the Big Apple but around the world.
His sons Don. Jr and Eric were also each fined more than $1 million and banned for two years
Trump, who is worth $2.5 billion according to Forbes, now has 30 days to come up with the money or post a $35 million bond.
“The justice system in New York State, and America as a whole, is under attack by partisan, misguided, biased judges and prosecutors.
“Racist, corrupt AG Tish James has been obsessed with “getting Trump” for years and has used corrupt New York State Judge Engoron to pass an illegal, un-American judgment against me, my family and my great company.
“I helped New York City through the worst of times, and now that it's overrun with violent Biden migrant crime, the Radicals are doing everything they can to kick me out.
“A corrupt New York State judge, who worked with a totally corrupt attorney general who relied on 'I'll get Trump' before he knew anything about me or my company, just fined me $355 million.” dollars imposed on the basis of nothing more than building a GREAT BUSINESS. ELECTION INFERENCE. WITCH HUNT (more to come!).'
Trump has up to 30 days to come up with the money, which could amount to more than $400 million with interest, or secure a bond of about $35 million.
The stunning decision follows an explosive three-month trial in which Trump took the stand and his children, including Ivanka, testified.
Trump now owns more than $454 million for judgments in New York after a jury ordered him to pay for defaming his rape accuser, E. Jean Carroll.
His net worth is estimated at around $2.6 billion, according to a September 2023 estimate by Forbes, and most of his assets are tied up in his sprawling real estate and golf empire.
Former President Donald Trump sent out a series of Truth Social posts Friday afternoon railing against the verdict
The Republican presidential candidate has $640 million in cash and assets and $870 million in golf clubs and resorts, according to Forbes.
His New York real estate is worth $690 million and his social media and branding activities are worth $160 million.
The Trump Organization called the ruling a “gross miscarriage of justice,” accused New York Attorney General Letitia James of “overreach” and said Deutsche Bank did “hundreds of millions” of business with them.
“Every member of the New York business community, regardless of industry, should be deeply concerned by this gross overreach and brazen attempt by the Attorney General to exercise limitless power in the absence of any private or public harm.
“If this ruling stands, it will only further hasten the continued exodus of businesses from New York.”
Engoron had Trump and his sons Don Jr. and Eric had already been found liable for fraud and the trial had to determine how much they had to pay.
James had demanded more than $370 million from Trump and barred him from doing business in New York state.
James accused Trump and his family businesses of overestimating his net worth by billions of dollars.
An aerial view of former President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate is seen on August 10, 2022 in Palm Beach, Florida. How much is Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago worth? That has been a point of contention after a New York judge ruled that the former president exaggerated the value of the Florida property when he said it was worth at least $420 million and perhaps as much as $1.5 billion.
Trump was represented by his ancient lawyer Alina Habba. On Thursday she admitted that she did not have “high expectations” of the verdict
She sought to permanently ban Trump from the New York real estate industry and sharply limit his ability to do business in the state.
During the case, Trump denounced James, an elected Democrat, as partisan, “racist” and “corrupt.”
He also engaged in an ongoing feud with Judge Engoron and his law clerk, which led to the former president being placed under a gag order.
In his closing arguments on January 11, Trump defied the judge and delivered a six-minute tirade after his lawyers spoke.
“I am an innocent man,” Trump protested. “I'm being persecuted by someone (James) running for office. What happened here, sir, is a fraud on my part.”
Trump said he was being targeted by officials who “want to make sure I don't win again.”
Judge Engoron told Trump's attorney Chris Kise to “control your client.”