Former President Donald Trump is facing a deadline to post a $464 million appeals bond before the New York Attorney General collects on a judgment against him. His attorneys have stated that he is unable to secure the bond, which would require collateral of $557 million and over $18 million in up-front bond premiums. Trump has appealed the judgment, but it is unclear when the appellate court will rule on it. Despite his wealth, Trump has not received assistance from his rich friends or family members, such as the Kushners, whose combined net worth is estimated at $375 million.
Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law, has a substantial amount of wealth, much of which is tied up in real estate assets. His financial disclosure as a senior advisor in 2021 revealed between $206 million and $801 million in assets, as well as income between $21 million and $114 million. However, it is unlikely that Kushner would come to Trump’s aid due to the difficulties in securing the required bond, including the refusal of bond companies to accept real estate as collateral. The Kushners themselves have debt to deal with, with their company’s properties having an estimated total value of $9 billion and $4.7 billion in debt at origination.
Kushner’s Affinity Partners, a private equity firm he founded in 2021, has about $3.1 billion in assets under management, with the majority of the firm’s assets held by non-U.S. citizens, likely from oil-rich Gulf monarchies. The firm has made investments in various companies and projects since its launch, including a $200 million investment in a classified ads website and a $225 million funding round for a fitness startup. Despite the substantial funding, Affinity has only made a few investments, and the funds held by the firm may not be accessible for other purposes, such as bailing out Trump.
If Trump fails to secure the appeals bond, he may be forced to consider declaring bankruptcy, as he has done in the past with some of his businesses. However, declaring bankruptcy could have significant implications for him personally, as he would likely be personally liable for the judgment. This could be a difficult decision for Trump to make, particularly in an election year, as he could use it politically to portray himself as a victim of corrupt Democratic judges and prosecutors. The outcome of the appeal and the potential for bankruptcy are uncertain at this time, but Trump’s financial challenges continue to mount.
In the face of his financial predicament, Trump may need to consider all possible avenues for resolving the judgment against him. Whether he can secure the appeals bond, rely on assistance from his wealthy connections, or consider declaring bankruptcy, the former president must make a decision by the deadline set by the New York Attorney General. The outcome of this situation could have significant implications for Trump’s financial future and his political endeavors. As the deadline approaches, all eyes will be on how Trump navigates this challenging situation and the potential consequences for his wealth and reputation.
