On September 26, a New York State court judge, Arthur Engoron, ruled that Donald Trump and his company exaggerated their net assets by several billion dollars in transaction and loan documents, deceiving banks, insurance companies, and other institutions.
A year earlier, New York State Attorney General Letitia James had filed a lawsuit against Trump and his children, accusing them of extensive fraudulent activities.
The lawsuit alleges that Trump inflated assets to meet long-term loan requirements from banks, enticing banks to lend to his company at more favorable rates, misleading insurance companies to provide higher limits at lower premiums, and obtaining tax benefits, among other objectives.
James's lawsuit references 23 assets, including Trump's office buildings, golf courses, the Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, and the penthouse apartment in Trump Tower in New York.
In response, Trump posted on social media, labeling it as "political persecution" and launched personal attacks against James.
Before James filed the lawsuit in December 2021, Trump had sued her, asking the court to halt her civil investigation into his company.
Currently, Engoron has ordered the revocation of some of Trump's business licenses and stated that an independent supervisor will continue to oversee the operations of Trump's company.
Regarding the $250 million fine proposed by James, Engoron will make a decision in the trial starting on October 2. Trump has applied for a trial postponement. However, Reuters suggests that the trial is likely to proceed as scheduled, with the final decision resting with the court.
Public records indicate that, based on four indictments, Trump faces 91 criminal charges, including paying hush money to a porn star, illegally retaining classified information, and attempting to overturn an election.
Additionally, in civil court, he will face a second defamation trial. Author E. Jean Carroll claims Trump sexually assaulted her in 1995 or 1996 and is seeking at least $10 million in damages.
Trump has denied all the above allegations.
Currently, due to the numerous charges, Trump frequently appears in the public eye. In the 2024 Republican primary, his approval rating far exceeds other candidates. Currently, Trump leads with a 59% approval rating, significantly ahead of his closest competitor, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, at 16%.
According to a recent NBC poll, Trump now trails Biden by only 43% to 47%.
The same poll also shows that about 74% of the public is concerned about Biden's physical and mental condition at 80 years old, but only about 47% are concerned about Trump's health at 77.
Regarding Trump facing numerous criminal and civil trials, 62% expressed concern. At the same time, 60% are concerned that Biden might have knowledge of or participated in alleged corrupt business transactions involving his son, Hunter. It seems that despite scandals surrounding both, voters appear more lenient towards Trump.
Another poll indicates that 54% of those likely to participate in the Iowa Republican primary stated they wouldn't vote for candidates who aggressively attack Trump due to his involvement in multiple lawsuits.
Voters are often swayed by personal emotions during voting. These emotions might stem from frequent exposure leading to familiarity or sympathy from seeing someone being "ganged up on."
For other candidates, figuring out how to turn public sentiment in their favor is an urgent task.
