Former President Donald Trump issued a dire prediction on Friday, December 8, asserting that New York would witness an exodus of businesses if he loses the ongoing legal battle initiated by the state’s Attorney General, Letitia James, as reported by Newsweek.
The legal case, filed last year, alleges a decade-long scheme involving “numerous acts of fraud and misrepresentation” by Trump and his two eldest sons to inflate his net worth.
Trump, vehemently denying any wrongdoing and dismissing the case as a political witch hunt, made the ominous declaration after testifying at a Manhattan court on Thursday.
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Outside the courthouse, he told reporters, “Businesses are watching this case. No business will go back into New York, no business will frankly stay in New York, some businesses are talking about leaving New York because of this action, this very serious action.”
The shared clip of Trump’s comments on social media has ignited concerns about potential economic repercussions for New York if his prediction were to come true.
Critics warn that such a scenario could have far-reaching consequences for the state’s business landscape.
Despite facing 91 felony charges across four indictments, Trump maintains a significant lead in Republican primary polling, commanding an estimated 59.3 percent of the Republican vote as of December 7, according to poll aggregators.
Expressing frustration at being tied up in court proceedings, Trump emphasized that he should be in Iowa, where he claims to lead by a substantial margin.
Attorney General Letitia James alleges that Trump and his sons inflated asset values to gain financial advantages, including favorable loans.
In September, Judge Arthur Engoron concluded that Trump had submitted “fraudulent valuations” of assets, leading to the cancellation of the Trump Organization’s business certificates in New York and affiliated businesses.
This decision, which could have severely restricted Trump’s business activities in the state, faced a legal challenge. In October, the New York Appellate Division temporarily halted the dissolution of some of Trump’s valuable New York properties pending the resolution of the case.
Trump celebrated a recent decision by a New York State Appeals Court, affirming the temporary halt as a significant victory for business.
However, the ongoing legal saga continues to cast a shadow over Trump’s business dealings and political aspirations, extending beyond the courtroom.
As New York closely watches this legal drama unfold, Trump’s suggestion of businesses departing the state raises concerns about the broader economic landscape and the potential consequences for local communities.
