The idiots of March
Donald Trump’s lawyers are asking a New York court to put a $464m (£365m) fine in a civil fraud case on hold, as the former president finds himself in a precarious financial situation that could ultimately see his most prized properties taken. If Mr Trump wants to continue his appeal in the case without the state seizing the fine from him, he must submit the full amount in cash or secure a bond from a private company by 25 March.
But he’s tried to secure a bond and everyone has told him no.
He’s trying to get a stay, and opinions are divided on whether he’ll succeed or not.
Ultimately, if Mr Trump does not get a pause and the court offers no compromise option, he could appeal directly to New York’s Court of Appeals. But with a deadline of 25 March to pay the judgement or post a bond, he is working on a tight timeline and is seeing thousands of dollars in interest added to the penalty sum each day.
Small comfort, but something is better than nothing.
If Mr Trump cannot find a way to pay the fraud judgement or secure a bond by 25 March, Ms James can begin to collect the fee and take his assets. She has said she will do so if he fails to pay.
Experts say this is another worst case scenario for Mr Trump, as he could lose some of his most famous properties. They can take any of his buildings – not just those in New York – including the 58-floor Trump Tower and his sprawling Florida club, Mar-a-Lago.
Oh please please please take Mar-a-Lago. And evict him.
I would take cash bank accounts first, the private jet second (ground him), and Mar-a-Lago third.
I put Mar-a-Lago first because it’s quite pretty in its way and I want him not to have it. Cash and jets are just tools.
Not having the best of times, is he? On Monday his attempt to have Michael Cohen and Stormy Daniels barred from giving evidence in his ‘hush money’ trial was rejected by the court. His lawyers made the request to have the two main witnesses blocked from testifying on the grounds that Cohen is a liar and Daniels is an opportunist. Pot, kettle, and black spring to mind.
Mind you, it does show that Trump really is just a wannabe mob boss. No self-respecting Don appeals to the courts to have chief witnesses removed; they just have them mysteriously disappear.
Ophelia, #2: or maybe take everything but Mar-a-Lago since it’ll be underwater soon anyway. The idea of Trump up to his gut in the Atlantic ordering the sea back like a modern day Canute tickles me somewhat.
But will it be soon enough???
Killjoy!
No, because he’ll be dead by then, obviously…
Note that seizing Mar-a-Lago might also allow for digging up his ex-wife’s grave. I would not be surprised if there’s some more missing documents under the box….