Trump compares fraud judge to SNL's Jon Lovitz in latest freakout
Donald Trump continued freaking out over his inability to secure a surety bond to hold off his massive New York fraud judgment Thursday — and had a new attack for the judge in his fraud case.
The former president was found liable for fraud in a civil lawsuit brought by state Attorney General Letitia James, and he has already filed a notice of appeal of the $454 million penalty imposed last month by Judge Arthur Engoron for habitually falsifying business records for his own financial benefit.
"Even though I did nothing wrong, a Radical Left New York Judge, a true Trump Hater, Arthur Engoron (Are we allowed to speak about his Unconstitutional Gag Order?), picked a number out of THIN AIR, $355,000,000, plus interest (reminiscent of John [sic] Lovitz, 'The Liar,' on SNL when it was good), & wants me to bond it, which is not possible for bonding companies to do in such a high amount, before I can even Appeal," Trump posted on Truth Social.
"That is CRAZY!"
The judge initially ordered Trump to pay $355 million in damages, but that number quickly ballooned to $464 million due to a 9-percent interest rate.
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While he may appeal without putting up a cash or bond, New York law requires defendants to put up the full amount of the judgment if they want to pause collection before the appeal is decided, which could take years.
"If I sold assets, and then won the Appeal, the assets would be forever gone," Trump posted. "Also, putting up money before an Appeal is VERY EXPENSIVE. When I win the Appeal, all of that money is gone, and I would have done nothing wrong."
New York law requires defendants to put up 110 percent of their penalty to hold off collection during an appeal, which allows them to exhaust their legal options while also protecting plaintiffs from dishonest attempts to delay justice with frivolous appeals.
"The Crooked Judge, who has already been overturned 4 times on this case (a record!), fully understands this," Trump posted. "He gave us a demand which he knows is impossible to do. This Witch Hunt, between a bad Judge and a Corrupt & Racist Attorney General, is horrible for New York. Businesses are FLEEING, while Violent Crime flourishes. ELECTION INTERFERENCE!"
The former president was given a 30-day deadline to pay up, and that ends Monday. James can then start to collect on the judgment. Trump's attorneys say that no insurance company has agreed to loan the money necessary to secure a bond to prevent the attorney general from collecting while the appeals process plays out.