Supporters of former President Donald Trump have embarked on a fundraising mission via GoFundMe, aiming to alleviate the financial burden of a $355 million fine levied against him following a conviction in a New York civil fraud trial. This trial concluded with Trump found culpably inflating his asset values in financial documents, as per the ruling by Justice Engoron of the New York State Supreme Court.
The fundraising campaign, initiated shortly after the hefty fine was imposed, has raised eyebrows and elicited a wide range of reactions, particularly due to Trump's known billionaire status. Elena Cardone, associated with the real estate sector and married to investor Grant Cardone, spearheaded the GoFundMe initiative, which managed to collect over $84,000 from more than 2,170 donors within the first 24 hours.
Elena Cardone positioned the fundraiser as a rallying cry for Trump's supporters, stating, "This is more than a legal fund; it's a clarion call to all patriots to rally in defense of a man who has never hesitated to stand in defense of us." Her husband, Grant, amplified this message on X (formerly Twitter), urging Americans to stand united against what he perceives as a miscarriage of justice: "Give something & DEMONSTRATE that the people of America are standing together against unjust rulings like this where a bias [sic] judges & corrupt legal system is out of control."
However, this fundraising effort has not been without its detractors, with many questioning the appropriateness of soliciting public donations for a figure of Trump's wealth. The campaign has also faced scrutiny over potential violations of GoFundMe's terms of service, particularly concerning fundraising for the legal defense of alleged financial crimes.
"Since Trump said Mar-a-lago is worth $1.5 billion, he should sell that, pay off the fines, and pocket the difference. It's a clown move to GoFundMe for a guy who claims he's a billionaire," one user wrote on X.
"His daughter and son-in-law have 2 billion. Let them bail him out," another user wrote.
One user claimed, "I am pretty sure @gofundme has a few rules about raising funds to pay criminal fines. What say you @gofundme,".
"This is a clear violation of @gofundme TOS. I give it 24 hours, and they'll suspend it." Another user also mocked.
Amidst this backdrop, Nikki Haley, a Republican presidential hopeful, expressed apprehensions regarding Trump's possible reliance on Republican National Committee (RNC) funds to navigate his legal predicaments.
In an interview with CNN's The Source, Haley highlighted past instances of Trump using campaign donations for legal expenses and expressed concern over the implications of such actions for the RNC. "My biggest issue is, I don't want the RNC to become, you know, his legal defense fund," Haley stated, emphasizing the need for the RNC to maintain its focus on its primary mission rather than becoming entangled in individual legal battles.
As Trump prepares for his upcoming trial related to alleged hush money payments to Stormy Daniels and Karen McDougal, the discussion around the use of public donations and political funds for personal legal defenses continues to evolve. This situation underscores the complex interplay between legal challenges facing public figures and the ethical considerations surrounding fundraising efforts in such contexts.
