Appeals court rules to reduce bond in fraud trial, scores big victory for President Trump: Live

Trump has repeatedly claimed he is worth billions of dollars, much of that value tied to the Trump Organization and brand-building real estate holdings.

Ahead of today's deadline for posting a hefty appeal bond to prevent the state from enforcing a nearly $500 million judgment, the former president wrote in an all-caps post on his Truth Social that his efforts resulted in “almost” $500 million. He declared that he had obtained the dollar. talent and luck. ”

He said Friday that a “substantial amount” of that money was going to his presidential campaign.

In reality, the Republican presidential nominee now appears to be facing a financial crisis, relying on political action committees and the party itself to pay for mounting legal costs, although he may have far fewer funds available. Highly sexual.

Trump amended his claim on Monday, after a hush money trial date was set and an appeals court granted him 10 days to pay the reduced $175 million. “I also want to use some of my cash to win the election,” he told the crowd at 40 Wall Street.

“Now that the national debt has been reduced, are you going to start putting money into your campaign?” one reporter asked. Trump replied, “Yes, yes.” First of all, frankly, it doesn't matter to you. ”

He added that if he had to pay $500 million in bonds, “I wouldn't have that option. I would have to start selling things.”

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New York state judge Juan Marchan has responded to allegations of misconduct by the Manhattan district attorney's office in producing thousands of pages of documents surrounding Michael Cohen, Trump's former lawyer and key witness in the case. He became dissatisfied.

“What I see, to me, is that it's becoming a pattern,” the judge told Trump's lawyer Todd Blanche before a morning break.

“I hear certain information, I see certain information…your interpretation of it is completely different than my interpretation,” he added. “Frankly, it's been going on for months. You just heard one fact and interpreted it as the public not doing anything… It's really… strange that we're even here.” is.”

Earlier, the judge scolded Blanche for not seeming to cite any past cases to explain exactly how the district attorney failed in its discovery obligations under state law.

alex woodward Report from the court…

If Mr. Trump runs out of money today, Ms. James has the power to begin seizing assets, including some assets, with the intention of selling them to cover the total amount owed.

The New York attorney general had the authority under New York to enforce the sentence as soon as it was handed down in February, but Mr. Trump was given a 30-day grace period, which now expires. is about to expire.

If she were to seize his bank account, the process would be to first send a notice of garnishment to the bank and securities company and order them to freeze his account. She would also need a court order to access the funds.

James could also seize properties such as Trump Tower, which bears the same name.

Her office has already begun steps to recover some of the former president's assets. In her March 7 filing, her office filed a petition for judgment with the county clerk's office in Westchester County, New York, where Trump's Seven Springs mansion and Trump National Golf Club Westchester are located. . The ruling indicates that his office has begun the process of seizing Trump's assets.

When asked whether he would testify in the hush-money trial, Trump first answered, “I don't know if I will go to trial.” “I don't know if he can go to trial during an election.”

He added: “I have no problem testifying.” He said, “I didn't do anything wrong.”

The former president noted that if he is convicted, he could become “even more popular” because the public knows the “Biden trial” is a “fraud.”

When a reporter asked Trump about the timing of his $175 million bail, Trump replied, “I have a lot of cash.” Trump added, “I also want to use some of the cash I have to get elected.''

“Now that the national debt has been reduced, are you going to start putting money into your campaign?” one reporter asked, to which Trump replied, “Yes, yes.” First of all, frankly, it doesn't matter to you. ”

He added that if he had to pay $500 million in bonds, “I wouldn't have that option. I would have to start selling things.”

Mr. Trump rambled at 40 Wall Street after appearing in Manhattan criminal court.

At a press conference that served as part of his campaign speech and part of his reaction to today's court ruling, Mr. Trump made this statement. This was all orchestrated by Biden,” Trump said.

“They are doing something that has never been done before in this country,” he added.

“They want this thing to start so bad. The judge wants this thing to start so badly,” he said of Judge Juan Melchán, who likely set an April 15 start date for the hush money trial. Ta.

He also praised the Appellate Division for reducing the “ridiculous” bail amount he was owed after his civil fraud conviction. He said Judge Engoron and Letitia James “need to be considered.”

“We're going to issue securities, cash, bonds, whatever it is, right away,” he told the audience.

“Every facility is run by Mr. Biden and his thugs,” he said of the ongoing lawsuit against him.

“I don't understand how a trial can be held in the middle of an election,” Trump said, calling it “unfair.” It's cunning. ” Trump's lawyers have repeatedly tried to delay many of the trials he faces until after the 2024 election.

“They may have started this after I left office,” he said.

“I think November 5th will be the most important day in the history of our country,” he said.

Trump's attorney Todd Blanche said he believes “starting this trial at any point before the election” would be “totally unfair” to Trump and the American people. “We feel that the date Judge Machan held today is not the day we should be on trial, and we will continue to fight.”

When asked if he should issue a not guilty verdict in the hush money trial, he said, “There shouldn't be a trial.'' When a reporter told him there was a trial going on, he replied, “I don't know if there will be a trial,” adding that he plans to appeal.

On Monday, a five-committee court gave the former president more than a week to secure just $175 million while he awaits a decision on his appeal of Judge Arthur Engoron's ruling in a civil fraud case. said that it may be granted.

The ruling was a victory for Trump, who had until Monday to come up with a way to post $464 million bail to prevent seizure of his assets by New York Attorney General Letitia James. The former president often makes a fuss about his net worth, but seemed to be having trouble finding a way to post his bail.

Judge Engoron found that Mr. Trump, his adult sons, and former Trump Organization executives were responsible for a conspiracy to inflate Mr. Trump's net worth in order to obtain favorable terms from insurance companies and banks for his real estate. , imposed a fine of $454 million.

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