Donald Trump lashes out at judge who ordered him to pay 'practically impossible' $454M bond, Internet says 'this case is a joke'

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Former President Donald Trump launched a scathing attack on Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron on Tuesday, March 19, lambasting the judge as a "corrupt puppet" under the sway of New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Trump's tirade came in response to Engoron's order for him to post a $454 million bond by a looming Monday deadline, a demand Trump deemed "practically impossible" to fulfill.

The legal saga stems from allegations that Trump inflated his net worth on financial statements to secure favorable loan and insurance terms, part of an ongoing civil fraud case initiated by James' office.

Engoron's decision in February to impose the hefty bond requirement heightened tensions, with Trump's legal team scrambling to contest the order, the New York Post reported.

Donald Trump's Furious Response to Bond Order

In a flurry of posts on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump expressed concern over the prospect of James seizing his extensive property holdings should he fail to meet the deadline.

Accusing Engoron of bias and dereliction of duty, Trump denounced the judge's refusal to abide by a previous decision by the Appellate Division.

“Engoron laughed with disdain at the Appellate Division, his superior court, when they handed down a decision which essentially ended most of the case, and he REFUSED TO ABIDE BY IT. This is the first time something like that has ever happened in New York State. He is a Crazed, Trump-hating, Rogue Judge, has ZERO respect for the Appellate Judges, and has torn apart the Legal System in New York State, making it impossible for outside businesses to want to come there. Existing businesses will flee!!!” Trump posted on Truth Social at 6.26 am.

Trump's legal team filed papers seeking relief from the bond requirement, citing insurmountable difficulties in securing the funds despite approaching numerous firms. They argued against the necessity of liquidating assets at distressed prices, fearing irreversible losses in the event of a successful appeal.

“I would be forced to mortgage or sell Great Assets, perhaps at Fire Sale prices, and if and when I win the Appeal, they would be gone. Does that make sense? WITCH HUNT. ELECTION INTERFERENCE!” the former president continued.

Trump also aimed Engoron's valuation of his prized Mar-a-Lago property at a mere $18 million, alleging judicial misconduct and highlighting multiple reversals in the case.

“Engoron will not do what the Appellate Division has ordered him to do on Statute of Limitations,” Trump wrote. “This has never happened to the Appellate Division before. Remember, he is the judge that fraudulently valued Mar-a-Lago at $18,000,000, and who was already overturned 4 times on this case, a record!”

The Trump campaign denounced the order as an affront to the rule of law, characterizing it as a politically motivated witch hunt orchestrated by corrupt adversaries.

“This is a motion to stay the unjust, unconstitutional, un-American judgment from New York Judge Arthur Engoron in a political Witch Hunt brought by a corrupt Attorney General,” Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung said in a statement. “A bond of this size would be an abuse of the law, contradict bedrock principles of our Republic, and fundamentally undermine the rule of law in New York. President Trump will continue fighting and beating all of these Crooked Joe Biden-directed hoaxes and will Make America Great Again.”

Social Media Reactions 

Many on social media mirrored Trump's outrage after he lashed out at Engoron.

"I would too in his position, this case is a joke!" one posted on X.

"Can you blame the man? After all of these years of blatant political persecution, they’re about to 'legally' take his business legacy off of some BS," another wrote.

"It’s an unconscionable Constitutional violation to force someone to post a $400 million bond just to have the right to appeal his case. This is one of the worst stains on the legal system I’ve ever seen. Anyone supporting this should be embarrassed. Wait until they come for you," a comment read.

"Election interference and lawfare. Trump told us the only thing standing in their way of us was him. They’re close to their goal and we are next," someone else chimed in.

"The level of corruption in our court system is unprecedented and should terrify all of us!" another offered.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.