Trump Requests $100 Million Bond in Response to $454.2 Million Judgment Pending Appeal

Donald Trump’s lawyers stated on Wednesday that he is unable to post a full bond while appealing a $454.2 million judgment imposed in New York state’s civil fraud case against him. They are requesting to secure a $100 million bond instead.

Justice Arthur Engoron of the state court in Manhattan issued the judgment on Feb. 16, which includes a three-year ban on Trump serving in a top role at any New York company or seeking loans from state-registered banks.

The case was filed by state Attorney General Letitia James, who accused Trump and his family company of inflating property values to boost his net worth for better loan and insurance terms.

The judgment against Trump initially was $354.9 million but has increased to $454.2 million with interest, accruing $112,000 in interest daily.

Trump’s lawyers argue that the judgment amount is excessive and punitive, making it impossible to post a complete bond. They propose a $100 million bond along with Trump’s substantial real estate holdings and court-appointed monitoring of the Trump Organization to secure the judgment.

They are also seeking a temporary enforcement stay during the appeal process to prevent James from selling Trump’s real estate assets to raise capital, citing potential irreparable harm to Trump.

If Trump’s appeal is unsuccessful, a bonding company would be responsible for the payout. However, there may be challenges in collecting if Trump, a top contender for the Republican presidential nomination, were to win back the White House from Democrat Joe Biden.

Trump is also aiming to avoid posting a full bond for an anticipated appeal of an $83.3 million defamation verdict in favor of writer E. Jean Carroll last month. He is asking the judge in that case to allow him to appeal without posting security or, at most, to post a $24.5 million unsecured bond. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; editing by Jonathan Oatis)