Former President Donald Trump spoke out against a recent ruling by a New York judge, who ordered him to pay $354.9 million in penalties for allegedly inflating his net worth to deceive lenders. Addressing a crowd of supporters in Michigan, Trump denounced the decision as an “election interference ploy,” without providing evidence to support his claim.
Accusations and penalties
Trump, who is vying for the Republican presidential nomination, accused the judge of being part of a “left-wing conspiracy” aimed at thwarting his political ambitions. He characterized the ruling as an assault not just on himself, but on all Americans.
In addition to the financial penalties, Justice Arthur Engoron barred Trump from holding positions as an officer or director of any New York corporation for three years. Engoron criticized Trump and his co-defendants for their lack of remorse, describing it as “bordering on pathological.”
The case, brought forth by New York Attorney General Letitia James, alleged that Trump and his family businesses had overstated his net worth by billions of dollars over a decade to obtain favorable loan terms. This ruling marks another legal setback for Trump, who also faces multiple criminal trials, including one scheduled to begin in New York on March 25.
Trump’s presidential nomination
Despite these legal challenges, Trump is nearing the Republican presidential nomination and is expected to face off against Democratic President Joe Biden in a potential rematch. Michigan, a crucial battleground state, holds significant importance in determining the outcome of the November election.
During his rally, Trump urged his supporters to participate in upcoming nominating contests, although he provided incorrect dates for the primary. He also reiterated his opposition to early and mail-in voting, criticizing them as corrupt.
Prior to his Michigan rally, Trump made an appearance at a sneaker convention in Philadelphia, where he launched his own sneaker brand. He encouraged young people to vote, emphasizing the importance of civic engagement.
Meanwhile, Trump’s rival for the Republican nomination, Nikki Haley, held a rally in South Carolina. Haley criticized Trump for his failure to comment on the death of Alexei Navalny, Russia’s prominent opposition leader, accusing him of cozying up to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Navalny’s death, which occurred at a Russian penal colony, has sparked international condemnation, with Western leaders blaming Putin for the incident. However, Trump made no mention of Navalny during his Michigan rally.
(With Reuters Inputs)