Scientologists Elena and Grant Cardone created a GoFundMe page to help pay Donald Trump’s latest legal bill.
Ardent MAGA supporters created the page hours after the former president was ordered to pay a $355 million fine for lying about his wealth for years.
“I strongly support President Donald Trump in the face of what I consider unfair and unprecedented treatment by certain judicial elements in New York,” Elena Cardone wrote on the page.
Cardone is seeking donations from his 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 created a GoFundMe page to help pay Donald Trump’s latest legal bill
Former President Donald Trump faces a potential cash crisis as he faces a $355 million award from a New York judge, following an $83 million damages award in the E. Jean Carroll defamation case.
“The recent legal battles he faces are not just an attack on him, but an attack on the very ideals of justice and due process that every American deserves,” Cardone wrote.
This is more than a legal fund,” he explained, “it is a call to all patriots to unite in defense of a man who has never hesitated to defend us.”
Friday’s ruling found that Trump, his company and his executives, including his two oldest sons, planned to deceive banks, insurers and others by inflating his wealth on financial statements.
It’s the latest fallout from Trump’s ongoing legal troubles, which include an upcoming trial for voter fraud and another for sanctioning “hush money” payments to an adult entertainer before the 2016 election.
Paying the $355 million fine could require some tough decisions within the Trump empire.
Trump was already ordered to pay $83 million to writer E. Jean Carroll in his defamation lawsuit, which followed a $5 million award in a separate trial in which he was found liable for sexually abusing her.
With those responsibilities, 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 revealed that PACs associated with Trump had shelled out $50 million in legal fees.
A bail bond would typically cost him 10 percent of the amount owed, requiring him to come up with $35 million that he could not recover.
The crux of the case against Trump involved claims the court found inflated about the true market values of Trump’s properties.
Trump Tower, where Trump’s triplex apartment went to court, has a net worth of $56 million when $100 million in debt is subtracted, according to one estimate. A misstatement about the size of his triplex apartment was part of Trump’s fraud case
Trump’s stake in the 40 Wall Street building, which appeared in his fraud trial, alone is estimated at $80 million.
If he started unloading, Trump would discover the real value of some of the buildings.
With those responsibilities, 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 revealed that PACs associated with Trump had shelled out $50 million in legal fees.
A bail bond would typically cost him 10 percent of the amount owed, requiring him to come up with $35 million that he could not recover.
The crux of the case against Trump involved claims the court found inflated about the true market values of Trump’s properties.
If he started unloading, Trump would discover the real value of some of the buildings.
Forbes estimated that Trump’s real estate in New York City is worth $690 million. His out-of-town real estate is worth $190 million and his golf clubs and resorts are worth $870 million.
Trump has made flaunting those assets part of his iconic brand, and according to the magazine, his branding and social media business is worth $160 million.
Trump used his Truth Social platform to criticize his prosecution in New York, but estimates have fluctuated on the site’s value.
Former President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago property, whose value the court said Trump inflated by up to 2,300%. Tax assessors estimate its value to be between $18 and $27.6.
Judge Arthur Engoron already found Trump responsible for fraud but the sentence was determined at trial. At one point during the process, Engoron told the former president’s lawyer that he “control his client.” He has now slapped Trump with a $355 million settlement.
James’ office relied on Palm Beach advisers to list Mar-a-Lago’s value at $18 million, but Trump says it is worth much more, perhaps more than $1 billion. Forbes estimated net worth at $292 million.
Selling it would be a challenge, since Trump swapped it for his official residence.
Trump’s overseas golf clubs, including the Trump Turnberry, which is undergoing expansion, 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 number of other golf clubs, including one in Virginia that he used as president but has used less frequently since leaving the White House.
You have many properties in New York to choose from in case you want to get rid of one. His attorney, Alina Habba, fumed in a statement Friday: “Let me make one thing perfectly clear: This is not just about Donald Trump; if this decision stands, it will serve as a signal to all Americans that New York is no longer open.” to business.’
Trump’s stake in the building at 40 Wall Street alone, which appeared in his fraud trial, is estimated at $80 million.
Trump Tower, where Trump’s triplex apartment went to court, has a net worth of $56 million when $100 million in debt is subtracted.
(Donald Trump Jr. signed a letter with accounting firm Mazars stating that Trump’s apartment was 30,000 square feet, shortly after contacting Trump Organization lawyer Alan Garten about an email saying it was 10,996 square feet square, according to property records).
“He’s not going to suddenly become working class. But it will be a lot of cash. His fortune will decline significantly, former federal prosecutor Diana Florence told the bbc.
The judge’s order prohibits Trump’s company from “borrowing from any financial institution licensed or registered with the New York Department of Financial Services for a period of three years,” limiting its own options.
Trump has it paid off most of the $295 million he once owed Deutsche Bank, reducing his liabilities since he left office.