Trump lashes out on Truth Social as deadline looms to come up with $464m bond – live – The Independent

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
New York attorney general Letitia James is preparing to seize Republican’s assets if he is unable to come up with the mammoth sum needed to appeal the judgement against him
Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile
As deadline day dawns for Donald Trump to pay the $464m bond in his New York civil fraud case, the Republican presidential candidate has been claiming that he has nearly $500m “in cash” despite his own attorneys telling a New York court that he cannot come up with the money.
Mr Trump has repeatedly claimed that he is worth billions of dollars, with much of that value tied up in the Trump Organization and his brand-building real estate holdings.
Before Monday’s deadline to post the mammoth bond, the former president declared on his Truth Social platform that he had earned the money he alleges Democrats are trying to take away from him “through hard work, talent and luck”.
That “substantial amount” had been intended for his presidential campaign, he said.
New York attorney general Letitia James is preparing to seize Mr Trump’s assets if he is unable to come up with the money he needs to appeal the outcome of his Manhattan fraud trial.
Mr Trump will be in the city today for an important hearing in the hush money case against him, which was due to begin on Monday but is currently scheduled for 15 April.
Social media users have come together to coin yet another nickname for the former president: “Don Poorleone”.
The meme uses an image of the iconic Marlon Brando character, Don Vito Corleone, from The Godfather and adapts his most famous line.
Whereas Vito vowed to “make him an offer he can’t refuse”, the Trump meme states: “I made an offer everyone refused.”
Katie Hawkinson has more.
‘Don Poorleone’ memes were trending on social media, one day before Donald Trump must post nearly half a billion dollar bond payment or have assets seized
His old man might have been complaining about Fox earlier but here they are hosting Little Eric yesterday, in which the overlooked middle Trump child whines to Maria Bartiromo about the sheer size of the fraud bond due today, saying no surety company would entertain their appeal for funds.
While that may be tragicomic, this is simply a preposterous lie that, of course, was allowed to pass unchecked.
Here’s Alex Woodward on what might happen next if Trump does not come up with the cash today.
New York Attorney General Letitia James says she is prepared to recover the former president’s assets
Let’s start with the bond issue.
Here’s Alisha Rahaman Sarkar on Trump’s surely unwise insistence that he does have the money after all but doesn’t want to pay up as it was supposed to be spent on his presidential campaign.
Trump cries ‘election interference’ as deadline looms to post bond in fraud case
With Donald Trump facing a big day of legal drama that will see him attend an important hearing on this upcoming hush money trial in Manhattan as the $464m bond in his fraud case falls due, the Republican candidate has continued to rage against the universe on his social media platform, lashing out again at New York attorney general Letitia James, Judge Arthur Engoron and even Fox News over its coverage of his plight.
Days before a deadline to block enforcement of a $454m judgment against him, Donald Trump claims he has nearly $500m “in cash” despite his own attorneys telling a New York appeals court that he can’t come up with the money.
Mr Trump has repeatedly claimed that he is worth several billions of dollars, with much of that value tied up in the Trump Organization and his brand-building real estate holdings.
Alex Woodward reports:
The clock is ticking for the former president to post an appeals bond to stop a $454m fraud judgment against him
Trump’s TV stint, ‘golden escalator’ presidential launch and notorious guests, it’s a place that’s played a major role in the history of the business tycoon-turned-president-turned accused felon’s life.
Now it could fall into the hands of someone Donald Trump views as a staunch enemy.
It’s a place that’s played a major role in the history of the business tycoon-turned-president-turned accused felon’s life. Now it could fall into the hands of someone Donald Trump views as a staunch enemy. Joe Sommerlad reports
With the Republican National Committee (RNC) nomination all but formally secured for Donald Trump, all eyes are on who the former president will choose as his running mate in pursuit of the White House.
Already, rumours are swirling about Mr Trump’s short list of potential options – nearly all of which are people who have backed Mr Trump and denounced the 2020 election results, despite widespread evidence that it was not stolen.
It is unclear when Mr Trump will announce his decision, but he revealed Mike Pence as his running mate in July 2016, before the RNC held its annual convention.
Here are the potential options:
Former president will likely announce his pick before the Republican National Convention this summer
An actor who has appeared in the likes of NCIS and The Rookie has been arrested for allegedly taking part in the January 6 riot at the US Capitol.
Nolan Freeman spent around 28 minutes inside the Capitol, after entering through a broken window alongside other Donald Trump supporters that day, according to a charging document revealed by Politico.
Mr Freeman was tracked down as part of an FBI investigation into all those supporters of the former president involved in the riot, seeking to overturn the 2020 election results.
Dan Gooding reports:
Photos and video allegedly showed Nolan Freeman entering through a broken window
Lev Parnas has offered a scathing prediction for what’s looming in the near future for former president Donald Trump and former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani.
“Prison and jumpsuits,” he said. “They will be cellmates for the rest of their lives.”
The Ukrainian-American businessman and former close associate of Mr Giuliani spoke to The Independent after giving fiery testimony this week at a House Republican impeachment hearing into President Joe Biden.
Kelly Rissman reports:
‘The world saw a kangaroo court,’ the former associate of Rudy Giuliani told The Independent about the Biden impeachment hearing
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
What happens if Donald Trump is not able to secure bond money?
AP
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
Log in
New to The Independent?
Or if you would prefer:
Want an ad-free experience?

source