Donald Trump had hoped that New York would drop his $454 million civil fraud judgment after his election as president. However, it’s becoming clear that won’t happen, potentially jeopardizing his renowned golf courses.
The president-elect is facing a $454 million civil fraud judgment after courts found he inflated the value of his assets — including his high-profile golf courses — to secure better loan and insurance deals.
As a result, Trump is responsible for the $454 million, plus interest, unless he wins an appeal. If he fails to pay, courts could begin seizing his assets, including some of those golf courses.
Last month, Trump’s lawyer, D. John Sauer, urged New York Attorney General Letitia James to drop the case after Trump’s victory in the 2024 election. Sauer claimed that dismissing the charges would “heal” partisan divides and improve “the health of our Republic.”
However, that’s not going to happen.
In a letter to Trump’s lawyer on Tuesday, a representative for James confirmed that the state would continue pursuing the case, even as Trump prepares to take office next month. The letter noted that presidents don’t have immunity from civil lawsuits, and James plans to defend her judgment during Trump’s appeal, even while he serves as president.
“The ordinary burdens of civil litigation do not impede the President’s official duties in a way that violates the U.S. Constitution,” New York Deputy Solicitor General Judith Vale wrote to Sauer, according to ABC News.
This is bad news for Trump, as it could cost him a substantial amount of money and possibly result in losing his prized golf courses.
Earlier this year, Trump admitted that this judgment could force him to “mortgage or sell” some of his assets — including his golf courses — at what he called “Fire Sale prices” to pay the debt. This nearly became a reality when James took preliminary steps to seize one of his golf courses.
Trump has long hoped to host a major championship at one of his prestigious courses. If they are seized, that would obviously no longer be possible.
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