Former President Donald Trump has once again drawn parallels between his $355 million New York fraud fine and the demise of Russian political prisoner Alexei Navalny.
This comparison comes as New York Attorney General Letitia James threatens to seize Trump's properties if he fails to pay the fine.
Trump, speaking to Fox News host Laura Ingraham during a town hall in Greenville, South Carolina, claimed that the lawsuits against him are a form of politically-motivated attacks. He likened his situation to the recent death of Navalny, a prominent critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin. "It is a form of Navalny. It is a form of communism or fascism," Trump stated.
While Trump did not explicitly mention his plans regarding the bond payment during his appeal, he did assert that despite his substantial wealth, Judge Arthur Engoron and the Democrats "can't take it."
In contrast, Attorney General James has expressed her readiness to seize Trump's assets if he fails to cover the fine. This threat comes despite Trump having a 25-day grace period to pay approximately $35 million as a bond to hold over the case. "If he does not have funds to pay off the judgment, then we will seek judgment enforcement mechanisms in court, and we will ask the judge to seize his assets," James told ABC News.
She identified Trump's 40 Wall Street skyscraper as a potential target for seizure. Trump's New York real estate, valued at $690 million according to Forbes, may need to be liquidated to cover the fine.
Trump, who is embroiled in several lawsuits including 91 felony charges, has labeled these legal battles as attempts at election interference. He has also compared his situation to reports that Putin ordered the assassination of Navalny.
In addition to the $354.9 million fine, Judge Engoron has also imposed nearly $100 million in prejudgment interest on Trump. This amount will continue to accrue daily until the fine is paid. The case revolves around allegations that Trump, his family, and associates inflated the value of his properties for financial gain.
Trump, who is currently leading the Republican presidential primary, has accused his opponents of trying to damage his reputation to secure another election victory. "Everything that's coming out this is all election interference," Trump claimed. "They're trying to damage me so they can win another election."
As of now, Trump's only remaining contender in the Republican primary is former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley. Despite Trump's lead, Haley has insisted that she has no plans to withdraw from the race. If the current standings hold, the 2024 presidential election could see a rematch between President Joe Biden and Trump.
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