Trying to make the best of a difficult situation, Donald Trump is pleading with donors to donate as much as $3,300 to his campaign by telling New York prosecutors to “keep your dirty hands off Trump Tower.”
Trump’s pitch, through his Save America PAC, referenced DA Letitia James’ threat to seize property if Trump fails to make good on the court’s $454 million judgment against him or after bond.
Trump’s lawyers have told a New York judge that it is virtually impossible for him to obtain a bond after approaching 30 companies.
“Crazy radical Democrat AG Letitia James wants to seize my property in New York,” the PAC said in its appeal to raise money from supporters.
‘THIS INCLUDES THE ICONIC TRUMP TOWER!’ according to the invitation.
Former President Donald Trump told New York authorities to “keep your hands off Trump Tower” as AG Letitia James could try to seize assets or impose liens as early as Monday.
“The Democrats think this will intimidate me. They think if they take my money to suppress my campaign, I’ll give up!’ Trump writes before promising that he will “NEVER surrender!”
While there has been some speculation from Trump critics about padlocking Trump Tower, James has filed a new legal filing register the judgest in Westchester County, New York, is putting two other parts of his real estate empire in his sights.
The county includes Trump’s Seven Springs, which was a key piece of evidence in his fraud trial, where prosecutors accused him of inflating valuations
Trump bought the estate in 1995 for $7.5 million, but prosecutors said he increased the valuation fivefold, bringing it to $291 million in one year.
It also includes Trump National Golf Club Westchester.
One thing state and local governments have the authority to do is impose liens on real estate in situations where payment is due. The state can also seize property, or subpoena Trump for information about what pieces of his property empire are worth.
Trump lawyer Alina Habba on Wednesday called the idea that he would have to sell his real estate “completely ridiculous.”
New York AG Letitia James has already threatened to seize assets if Trump does not issue bonds
“Keep your filthy hands off Trump Tower,” Trump said at the fundraising pitch
That’s a paper-driven process that is less dramatic than what some Trump critics on TV envisioned — who have described authorities slapping a padlock and chain over the Trump Tower entrance on 5th Avenue.
“I don’t know if I’m laughing or crying,” host Whoopi Goldberg said Wednesday on ABC’s “The View,” after introducing the news on the show to the delight of her co-hosts.
“I can’t wait to see the chains in Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue. I’m pretty excited about it,” said co-host Sunny Hostin.
But government officials won’t simply padlock the building AP analysis concluded.
There have been cases where the state has seized assets after a trial, including authorities confiscating OJ Simpson’s Heisman Trophy when he was facing a $33.5 million wrongful death sentence.
Trump lawyer Alina Habba on Wednesday called the idea that he would have to sell his real estate “completely ridiculous.”
She said it was all part of an effort by Trump’s political enemies to destroy the former president from the start with the legal verdict.
“I think everything was done intentionally. Frankly, I have no doubt that the witch hunt and the goal of election interference rang loud and true throughout these trials,” she said.
Habba said Trump and his family “changed the New York skyline forever” with their prominent buildings and said it would not be right to hold a “fire sale” of Trump’s prime real estate, such as Trump Tower in New York City.
Trump labeled Judge Arthur Engoron on his Truth Social platform as a “radical left” judge and “The Crooked Judge,” as well as a “bad judge.”
Faced with a massive court ruling that yields more than $100,000 in interest per day, Trump may be tempted to declare bankruptcy, as he has done several times in the past.
The WashingtonPost reported that Trump is not currently considering bankruptcy.
“What’s happening to him and his companies right now is exactly why the bankruptcy law exists,” said one of Trump’s inner circle. ‘It would be a new start,” the person told the newspaper.
Forbes reported that one option would be to declare bankruptcy only on 40 Wall Street, an asset that James has chosen. A mortgage payment is coming in a balloon, with Trump personally guaranteeing $26 million.