On Wednesday, Alina Habba was asked whether Donald Trump was actively seeking to secure his New York civil fraud bond from foreign entities. There has been speculation that the former president might explore international options to cover the $454 million in penalties.
The deadline for the former president to provide a financial guarantee for his full bond amount is fast approaching on Monday. This requirement is a result of a lawsuit filed against him by New York Attorney General Letitia James. Failure to comply with this deadline could lead to state prosecutors taking action to enforce the judgment, which may involve seizing Trump’s assets and real estate properties.
During an interview with Fox News’ Martha MacCallum on Wednesday afternoon, Habba, the lead defense counsel in Trump’s case, expressed his strong disapproval of the $454 million in penalties. He described the amount as “completely ridiculous” and criticized the ruling made by New York State Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron. The judge found Trump, his two adult sons, and other individuals associated with The Trump Organization responsible for misleading lenders and insurance companies in order to obtain more favorable terms.
“It is a deliberate attempt to meddle in the election, aiming to harm President Trump, in an effort to destroy his business and undermine both him and his family. Their private company, which is not a public entity, has left an indelible mark on the New York skyline,” Habba stated.
According to Trump, he firmly believes in his innocence and has expressed his intention to challenge the verdict. However, appealing the ruling would necessitate an extra $10 million to be added to his existing bond amount. It is important to note that Trump is currently being considered as the likely Republican nominee for the upcoming 2024 presidential election.
During the interview, MacCallum questioned Habba about whether Trump’s defense team had made any attempts to secure the entire bond amount through another country, such as Saudi Arabia or Russia.
Habba responded that there are publicly available rules and regulations. However, he mentioned that he cannot discuss strategy as it involves certain requirements that they must adhere to.
Critics of the former president have expressed apprehension about the potential national security implications of Trump’s mounting debt in his legal battles. They are concerned about the individuals or entities that could potentially agree to post the bond on his behalf. In a recent court filing, Trump’s lawyers disclosed that they have approached over 30 companies to cover the bond, but all of their requests have been turned down.
According to Mary McCord, a national security lawyer, there are likely numerous individuals or entities who may be interested in providing financial assistance to him. She notes that these sources could potentially include foreign entities, specifically Russian oligarchs, as well as individuals and companies within the United States.
According to McCord, it is extremely hazardous when discussing a presidential candidate or an elected official who may have some kind of debt or sense of obligation towards someone else.
Democratic Congressman Sean Casten expressed his concerns about the potential legal consequences for former President Trump in a recent post on X (formerly Twitter). Casten emphasized that Trump’s desperation for assistance in covering his bond makes him a significant national security risk. He further warned that any foreign adversary looking to influence a president would be well aware of the price they could pay.
On Wednesday, Newsweek reached out to Trump’s campaign for comment on the speculation surrounding his bond.
Trump secured a $91.6 million bond following his loss in the civil suit against E. Jean Carroll, who had sued him for defamation and sexual assault. Despite two separate jury orders to pay Carroll for defaming the former magazine columnist, Trump maintains his innocence.
