Aiexpress – A group of loyal followers of former President Donald Trump has initiated a GoFundMe campaign with the aim of raising funds to cover the hefty $355 million fine imposed on the billionaire former leader following his recent civil fraud trial in New York.
New York State Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron issued a ruling on Friday, ordering Trump and his companies to pay $354,868,768 to the state. With interest included, the penalty amounts to a staggering $450 million. The judge found the former president guilty of fraudulently manipulating the value of assets on financial statements.
After the verdict was announced, Trump criticized Engoron as “crooked” and accused New York Attorney General Letitia James, who initiated the lawsuit in 2022, of being “totally corrupt.” He labeled the decision as “election interference” and declared his intention to appeal.
Elena Cardone, the wife of influential real estate investor Grant Cardone, recently revealed on X (formerly Twitter) that she has launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover the expenses. As per Forbes, Trump’s net worth was estimated to be around $2.6 billion in September.
Within just five hours of its launch, the page titled “Stand with Trump; Fund the $355M Unjust Judgment” managed to raise an impressive amount of over $18,000 towards its goal of $355 million. It garnered support from over 400 generous donors, with contributions ranging from $5 to $1,500 each.
Cardone, a strong advocate for justice and supporter of American values, expressed her intention on the page to create a fundraiser that would enable like-minded patriots who stand with Trump to demonstrate their united strength and determination.
“This is not just a legal fund; it’s a powerful call to all patriots to unite and defend a man who has always been unwavering in his defense of us,” she expressed. “It’s a way to demonstrate that when any one of us is attacked for advocating the principles that make America exceptional, we stand together in solidarity.”
In a recent post, Grant Cardone expressed his frustration with the legal system, stating that donors need to unite and take a stand against unjust rulings and a corrupt judicial system that seems to be running amok.
Loomer expressed her dissatisfaction with Go Fund Me, stating that the platform is “anti-Trump and liberal.” She suggested that @GiveSendGo and @GrantCardone should have been used instead, as Go Fund Me has a reputation for banning conservative campaigns. Loomer further mentioned that she has been banned from GoFundMe since 2018.
Several individuals on X responded to the page by ridiculing it and the individuals who contributed, while raising doubts about why a billionaire would require crowdfunding assistance to cover the fine.
“They now have a GoFundMe account for Trump,” tweeted @lisa_liberal. “Forbes estimates his net worth at $2.6 billion, but it’s ironic how they vehemently deny it being a cult.”
“Why does Trump, who claimed to be a billionaire, require financial assistance from Scientologists through GoFundMe?” questioned writer Victoria Brownworth.
Some people argued that the page violates GoFundMe’s terms of service, which prohibits raising funds for the legal defense of individuals accused of financial and violent crimes. However, it’s important to note that Trump’s penalty was handed down in civil court and did not involve any criminal charges.
@BagdMilkSoWhat expressed their concern on Twitter, stating that the campaign in question is in violation of GoFundMe’s Terms of Service. They urged others to report it.
“Hey @gofundme, do we need to review your terms of service for a violation here???” tweeted @GSanseviero.
In Friday’s ruling, Trump, along with his adult sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump, received a ban on doing business in New York. Trump himself was banned for three years, while his sons were banned for two years. Additionally, they were ordered to pay over $4 million each.
In a statement released shortly after the verdict was announced, James expressed his celebration over the ex-president’s penalty. He emphasized that the outcome was a significant victory for those who firmly believe in the importance of everyone adhering to the same set of rules.
“For years, James accused Donald Trump of engaging in extensive fraudulent activities to unjustly benefit himself, his family, and his organization,” James explained. He added, “While Trump may have been the author of ‘The Art of the Deal,’ he certainly mastered the art of deception. Finally, he is being held accountable for his unlawful actions.”
In an email statement to Newsweek, Alina Habba, a lawyer representing Trump, expressed strong disagreement with the verdict, stating that it was a clear and unjust manifestation of a politically motivated witch hunt that had been ongoing for several years. Habba also cautioned that this outcome could potentially send a message to all Americans that New York is no longer a welcoming place for business.
