Former President Donald Trump and his adult sons, Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, have been found liable for fraud by a New York judge. The ruling, part of a lawsuit filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James, could have severe repercussions for the Trump business empire.
Judge Arthur Engoron, presiding over the case, declared that the Trumps inflated the value of their family businesses over a decade to secure more favorable deals from financial institutions and insurers. This decision, which includes the cancellation of business certifications for entities such as the Trump Organization, is poised to impact Trump’s financial standing significantly.
Engoron dismissed the argument that disclaimers in the financial statements absolved the Trumps of fraudulent intent, deeming them “worthless clauses.” He emphasized that these disclaimers provided no legal defense, branding the attempts to justify them as baseless.
Attorney General Letitia James, seeking $250 million in damages and a ban on the Trumps serving as officers of a business in New York, hailed the ruling as a “major victory” for the rule of law. She asserted that the decision confirmed the Trumps’ deception of banks, insurers, and the government, resulting in substantial tax losses for the state.
In response, Donald Trump, denying any wrongdoing, criticized the ruling on social media, pledging to appeal to the highest courts in New York or the federal system. He labeled the lawsuit a politically motivated “witch hunt” and deemed the decision unfair and un-American.
The ruling, handed down on September 27, 2023, has triggered a wave of reactions from celebrities. Notable figures like Roseanne Barr, Donald Trump Jr., Whoopi Goldberg, Billy Baldwin, and Eric Trump have shared their perspectives.
– Roseanne Barr: The comedian sarcastically tweeted, “Arrest Trump for Mar-A-Lago’s use of non-permitted garden hoses!!!”
– **Donald Trump Jr.**: The eldest son mocked the judge’s valuation of Mar-a-Lago, tweeting, “If Mar-a-Lago is worth $18 million… I’ll take 10 please!!!”
-Whoopi Goldberg The co-host of “The View” sarcastically remarked, “Because everyone is lying but him,” upon learning of Trump’s denial of the charges.
– Billy Baldwin The actor contrasted Trump’s fraud with President Joe Biden’s support for working class families and labor unions, highlighting the government’s focus on a Biden impeachment amidst Trump’s legal troubles.
– Eric Trump: The second son accused the New York legal system of coordination to destroy his father’s life and company. He disputed the judge’s valuation of Mar-a-Lago, claiming it to be worth well over a billion dollars.
– Alyssa Farah Griffin: The former White House Director of Strategic Communications asserted on “The View” that New Yorkers always knew Trump was a fraud. She expressed disbelief at the 2,300% inflation of Mar-a-Lago’s value.
– Michael Moore: The filmmaker and activist, a vocal opponent of Trump, tweeted, “Another reminder that this man, in totality, is a fraud. He is a scam artist,” highlighting Trump’s alleged misdeeds throughout various aspects of his career.
This ruling marks a significant development in the legal battles surrounding the Trump family, as public figures continue to weigh in on the implications of the decision.
