Biographer doesn't think Trump will 'willingly' pay his millions in court fines

Donald Trump is facing one hefty fine and potentially an even larger one from court cases and it left one biographer to wonder if the courts would have to seize the cash because the ex-president would be too angry about handing it over.

Speaking to MSNBC on Sunday, biographer Tim O'Brien answered questions about speculation on Trump's financial liquidity and whether he can meet the large sum.

"I think he actually definitely does have the cash," said O'Brien. "I don't think he will like paying it. The total bill in the E. Jean Carroll case is actually over $88.3 million. It was a $5 million judgment in the previous ruling on one of her claims against him."

Financial reporter Susanna Craig similarly agreed that based on what is known about Trump's financial reporting during the deposition in the Carroll case, he has about $400 million in cash on hand. Trump could end up with a fine of over $350 million in the New York fraud trial. So, while he could pay out the Carroll case, the fraud trial might be tougher for him, Craig said.

"Will he willingly part with it again? I think not," O'Brien said. "In both cases, you are going to have to see the courts come after him and attack some of his assets. Most of Donald Trump's wealth is tied up in a handful of urban skyscrapers whose value has been diminished by the COVID pandemic and this flight from urban centers. A lot of it is in golf courses. None of it is, as they say, in the trade 'very liquid.'"

O'Brien explained that Trump's financial disclosures have questionable data because he tends to lie about his wealth and assets.

"But be that as it may, this is a huge blow to him, and he's not going to be comfortable with it," he continued.

O'Brien went on to say that campaign supporters likely believe that the money they're sending is supporting his 2024 reelection, but a lot of it is being spent on legal fees. Whether it can be used to pay Trump's court settlement or fine is a question for the Federal Election Commission (FEC). The federal campaign finance agency has been "largely often a toothless" one "in terms of enforcing its own rules," the biographer explained.

"They should watch their wallets because ever since he came into the presidency, he realized that the White House was something he could monetize," O'Brien said. "And he has no hesitation or ethical boundaries around the idea of using campaign funds for things like lawsuits and settling lawsuits and especially in the E. Jean Carroll case, that have nothing to do with his presidency or policy value he's supposed to be delivering to people who support him."

See the full comments from O'Brien in the video below or at the link here.

Biographer doesn't think Trump will 'willingly' pay his millions in court finesyoutu.be