Donald Trump Appeals $454m New York Civil Fraud Judgement as He Wins South Carolina Republican Primary
In a surprising turn of events, former President Donald Trump is appealing a $454 million civil fraud judgement in New York. The judgement, which accused Trump of lying about his wealth during the growth of his real estate empire, was issued by Judge Arthur Engoron on February 16th. Trump’s lawyers have filed a notice of appeal, asking the state’s mid-level appeals court to overturn the verdict.
The appeal is centered around whether Judge Engoron made errors of law or fact and whether he abused his discretion and jurisdiction. Trump’s legal team is determined to challenge the judge’s findings and argue for a reversal of the verdict. This move comes as no surprise, as Trump has consistently fought legal battles throughout his career.
Meanwhile, Trump has been enjoying his recent victory in the South Carolina Republican primary. After winning his fourth straight primary, he took aim at his rival for the Republican presidential nomination, Nikki Haley. The Charles Koch-backed Americans for Prosperity Action donor network recently announced that it would no longer support Haley’s campaign after her loss in South Carolina. Trump took to Truth Social to gloat, claiming that Koch and his partners “got played for suckers right from the beginning.”
In his victory speech, Trump didn’t hold back in targeting President Joe Biden, telling him, “You’re fired!” This rhetoric has become a trademark of Trump’s political style, as he seeks to position himself as the leader of the Republican Party once again.
Adding to the drama, both Trump and Biden have planned visits to the US-Mexico border on the same day. This clash of schedules is sure to create an interesting dynamic between the two political rivals. Trump has been vocal in his criticism of Biden’s handling of immigration issues and has accused the “Department of Injustice” of deliberately timing legal cases to interfere with his campaign.
While Trump continues to dominate the headlines with his legal battles and political ambitions, another interesting development has emerged from the recent Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC). A straw poll conducted at the conference revealed who Republicans would like to see as Trump’s running mate in the next presidential election. The results may surprise some, as the poll reflects the preferences of CPAC attendees.
In a lighter moment during his CPAC speech, Trump seemed to confuse his own wife, Melania, with Mercedes Schlapp, wife of CPAC’s chairman. Despite this slip-up, Trump received a standing ovation when praising Melania, with the crowd showing their support for the former First Lady.
Throughout his speech, Trump couldn’t resist drawing attention to his own notoriety. He compared himself to infamous gangster Al Capone, boasting about being indicted more times than the notorious mob boss. This parallel has become a favorite of Trump’s, as he tries to add a touch of underworld grit to his glitzy brand.
In a characteristically defiant moment, Trump also took the opportunity to boast about not resigning in disgrace over his multiple scandals. He contrasted his resilience with the quick resignations of other politicians facing legal troubles, claiming that he has a “big voice” and will continue to fight for his name.
Overall, Trump’s appeal of the civil fraud judgement adds another layer to his ongoing legal battles. As he seeks to regain his position as the leader of the Republican Party, he remains a force to be reckoned with in American politics. With his sights set on Joe Biden and a visit to the US-Mexico border planned, Trump shows no signs of slowing down. Whether he can overcome the legal challenges and secure the Republican presidential nomination once again remains to be seen.
