What compels a person to run for President? Is it the desire to facilitate real, tangible change? Or is it to quench this insatiable thirst for power, control and influence? Maybe it’s simply because someone wishes to leave the world a better place than they found it. In regards to Donald J Trump, however, I’m afraid it’s none of the above, rather a scheme to fund his prolific lawsuits and court hearings.
The public tends to underestimate Trump’s financial difficulties. A genuinely dangerous situation exists for the former president’s corporations and, consequently, for Trump’s personal finances due to the magnitude of the awards, the layout of his commercial empire, and the state of the real estate market. By March 11, Trump needs to pay the $83.3 million that was granted to the writer E. Jean Carroll for defamation. In addition, he owes more than $450 million—interest is making the sum grow—in a fraud case filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James. By March 25th, he must provide collateral or put up cash. Both verdicts have been challenged by him.
The obligation for Trump to pay the judgment of almost half a billion dollars, which is increasing by more than $100,000 per day with interest, might be postponed for months or years if he files for bankruptcy, either personally or through one of his businesses. The laborious work of figuring out how and when to pay each of his creditors, including the state, would go to a federal judge. Trump could concentrate on his campaign rather than the debt in the interim. Yet, whether it be pride or an inflated ego, Donald J. Trump refuses to file for bankruptcy which then prompts one to wonder: where is he getting the money from?
While various news organizations hold differing numbers in regards to funds transferred, all explicitly state that the MAGA PAC, Save America PAC and the MAGA Super PAC are direct contributors. Thus when the average American donates to the Republican candidate’s PACs, they are actually financing his lawsuit against a prostitute. Recent data from the New York Times indicates that since leaving office, Trump has paid more than $100 million in legal fees and other expenses to defend himself against numerous investigations, indictments, and upcoming criminal trials; none of which were covered by his own funds. Over the past few years he has taken donations from voters, sprinkled them through his PACS, and then further funneled the money into his lawyers bank accounts.
Now, what does this have to do with Trump’s reelection efforts? Everything.
If Trump wasn’t running for reelection, the donations would slow and his PACs would eventually dry up. This election is a loophole, a solution, and a method of funding Trump’s legal bills without having to spend a single dime. Donald J. Trump will never own up to his actions, or take accountability for the wrong-doings he inflicts. No- Trump is nothing more than a mafia boss, a crime lord, a fraudulent coward who would rather steal money from his voters than bankrupt one of his already failing business endeavors.
I implore voters to consider the “why” behind a candidate seeking the presidency. The trail to election is no easy nor enjoyable task. Moreover, the President’s compensation is fairly low compared to the demands of the job- so why? Why pursue this avenue? For Trump, I believe his motivational factors are all wrong. Whether one’s a Republican or Democrat, there should be a mutual consensus our future president should not run to cover extensive legal dues. That’s not to say Mr. Trump’s only reason for running is to fund his lawsuits, but I do believe it has influenced his decision, and thus renders his campaign efforts dilatory and his morality ambiguous- and I for one, would prefer a president with character than criminal charges.
