Scientologists Elena and Grant Cardone have set up a GoFundMe page to help pay Donald Trump’s latest legal bill.
The fervent MAGA supporters launched the page hours after the former president was ordered to pay a $355 million fine for lying about his wealth for years.
“I stand unwaveringly with President Donald Trump in light of what I see as unprecedented and unfair treatment by certain judicial elements in New York,” Elena Cardone wrote on the page.
Cardone is seeking donations from supporters to cover the full cost of Trump’s fine.
However, as of Saturday afternoon, only $53,000 had been donated.
Scientologists Elena and Grant Cardone have set up a GoFundMe page to help pay Donald Trump’s latest legal bill
Former President Donald Trump is facing a potential cash crunch as he faces a $355 million award from a New York judge after being awarded $83 million in damages in the defamation case against E. Jean Carroll
“The recent legal battle he is facing is not just an attack on him, but an attack on the ideals of fairness and due process that every American deserves,” Cardone wrote.
This is more than a legal fund,” she explained, “it is a call to all patriots to stand up in defense of a man who never hesitated to defend us.”
Friday’s ruling found that Trump, his company and executives, including his two eldest sons, schemed to deceive banks, insurers and others by inflating his wealth in financial statements.
It is the latest fallout from Trump’s ongoing legal troubles, including an upcoming lawsuit alleging election fraud and another for sanctioning “hush money” payments to an adult entertainer ahead of the 2016 election.
Paying off the $355 million fine could require some tough decisions within the Trump empire.
Trump has already been ordered to pay $83 million to writer E. Jean Carroll in her defamation suit, which followed a $5 million damages award in a separate lawsuit that found him liable for sexually assaulting her.
With these obligations, while facing a mountain of legal fees in his four criminal trials, Trump may be forced to try to secure bail. Recent campaign finance reports showed that PACs tied to Trump had paid $50 million in legal fees.
A bail bond would typically cost him 10 percent of the amount owed, leaving him to collect $35 million that he couldn’t get back.
The core of the case against Trump involved claims that the court found were inflated due to actual market values for Trump properties.
By one estimate, Trump Tower, where Trump’s triplex apartment appeared in court, is worth a net $56 million once $100 million in debt is subtracted. A misstatement of the size of his triplex apartment was part of Trump’s fraud case
Trump’s stake in the building at 40 Wall Street alone – which was part of his fraud case – is estimated at $80 million.
If he started unloading, Trump would find out what some of the buildings were really worth.
With these obligations, while facing a mountain of legal fees in his four criminal trials, Trump may be forced to try to secure bail. Recent campaign finance reports showed that PACs tied to Trump had paid $50 million in legal fees.
A bail bond would typically cost him 10 percent of the amount owed, leaving him to collect $35 million that he couldn’t get back.
The core of the case against Trump involved claims that the court found were inflated due to actual market values for Trump properties.
If he started unloading, Trump would find out what some of the buildings were really worth.
Forbes calculated that Trump’s New York City real estate is worth $690 million. His real estate outside the city is worth $190 million, and his golf clubs and resorts are worth $870 million.
Trump has made bragging about these assets part of his iconic brand, and according to the magazine, his social media and branding activities are worth $160 million.
Trump used his Truth Social platform to rail against his prosecution in New York, but the site’s value has fluctuated according to estimates.
Former President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, which the court ruled Trump had inflated the value by as much as 2,300%. Tax assessors estimate its value at between $18 and $27.6
Judge Arthur Engoron already found Trump liable for fraud, but the sentence was determined during the trial. At one point in the proceedings, Engoron told the former president’s lawyer to “keep your client under control.” Now he has given Trump a $355 million reward
James’ office relied on Palm Beach appraisers to estimate Mar-a-Lago’s value at $18 million, but Trump says it is worth much more, perhaps more than $1 billion. Forbes estimates net worth at $292 million.
It would be a challenge to sell it as Trump turned it into his official residence.
Trump’s overseas golf clubs, including Trump Turnberry, which is being expanded, are estimated to be worth $94 million.
Trump’s Doral Golf Club in Miami is estimated to be worth $166 million.
He also owns a string of other golf clubs, including one in Virginia that he used as president but has used less often since leaving the White House.
He has many properties in New York to choose from if he wants to offload one. His attorney Alina Habba said in a statement Friday: “Let me make one thing perfectly clear: This is not just about Donald Trump — if this decision stands, it will signal to every American that New York is no longer open for business.”
Trump’s stake in the building at 40 Wall Street alone – which was part of his fraud case – is estimated at $80 million.
Trump Tower, where Trump’s triplex apartment appeared in court, is worth a net $56 million once $100 million in debt is subtracted.
(Donald Trump Jr. signed a letter with the accounting firm Mazars stating that Trump’s apartment was 30,000 square feet, shortly after communicating with Trump Organization lawyer Alan Garten about an email saying it was 10,996 square feet, based on ownership data).
‘He won’t suddenly become working class. But it will just be a lot of money. His fortune will be significantly reduced, former federal prosecutor Diana Florence told the newspaper BBC.
The judge’s order prohibits Trump’s company from “applying for loans from any financial institution chartered by or registered with the New York Department of Financial Services for a period of three years,” limiting its own options.
Trump has paid off most of the $295 million he once owed to Deutsche Bank, reducing his liabilities since his departure.