In case you haven’t heard, Donald Trump, Don Jr., and Eric were found liable for fraud in New York state court yesterday in a devastating rebuke of the Trump Organization and its years of shady business practices.
Justice Arthur F. Engoron agreed with New York Attorney General Letitia James by ruling that the Trumps lied about the value of their properties to secure cheaper loans, inflating their worth to banks and insurers by as much as $3.6 billion–yes, $3.6 billion–a year.
As a result, the ex-president could now be on the hook for up to $250 million. The exact fine will be determined at trial, which is scheduled to begin next week and could run through the end of the year.
Engoron also immediately revoked Trump’s business certificates, essentially stripping him of control of his New York properties, including his prized Trump Tower, located at 725 5th Avenue in Midtown Manhattan.
And that’s where Melania enters the picture.
Since leaving Washington, D.C. in January 2021, the ex-FLOTUS has reportedly been splitting her time between Mar-a-Lago and Trump Tower, although she is said to prefer the latter property better.
Manhattan has been her home since she packed up her suitcase and left Slovenia to pursue a modeling career way back in 1996. And Trump Tower has been her primary residence since marrying Trump in 2005.
She owns an apartment on the 33rd floor but is believed to reside in the building’s three-floor penthouse, which court documents say the ex-president inflated the value of by as much as $200 million a year from 2012 to 2016.
Melania loves Trump Tower so much, in fact, that she famously refused to leave after her husband was elected president and had moved into the White House. She didn’t join him in D.C. until six months after he took office and made regular trips back to Manhattan throughout her tenure as first lady.
These days, she is frequently photographed entering and exiting the building using a side entrance and flanked by secret service members.
But all that could soon be changing.
After yesterday’s ruling, the one-term, twice-impeached, quadruple-indicted ex-president is now at risk of losing control of Trump Tower, as well as his Westchester golf club and all other New York properties (a.k.a. His “Mona Lisas of properties”, as he likes to call them).
Although it’s not yet clear what will happen next.
There’s a chance he’ll be allowed to keep the properties, but they’ll be placed in receivership, meaning he couldn’t sell them or use them to secure any additional loans. There’s also a chance they could be sold by the court to pay off all his debts and other liabilities, meaning Melania might have to move out.
The only thing that is clear at this point is that none of the options Trump faces are good and he’s pissed about that. (We’re pretty sure Melania isn’t happy either.)
In response to yesterday’s ruling, he took to Truth Social to call it “a very sad day for the New York State System of Justice.” His lawyers say they will appeal the ruling, but most legal experts say the chances of that being successful are slim to none.
Meanwhile, James’ office issued a statement saying, “Today, a judge ruled in our favor and found that Donald Trump and the Trump Organization engaged in years of financial fraud. We look forward to presenting the rest of our case at trial.”
As for Melania, she’s been keeping herself in denial busy by hawking her latest line of Christmas ornament NFTs on social media.
LumpyPillows
Melania may have goofed up. She probably should have divorced him before he losses his money.
abfab
Why can’t she move in with Ivanka?
LumpyPillows
Well, I fully believe Trump had Ivana pushed down the stairs by one of his Russian handlers. Think about it, not much different than all the people who “fell” out of windows. So, to your point, she very well could end up buried under a putting green. Not that I would wish harm to anyone.
abfab
Melly probably shit a brick when she saw the husband buying a gun.
Beanie16
OMFG What if he losses the golf course and they have to dig IVY up?/// knowing her 3 don’t give a shit the poor woman will be lucky if her body doesn’t end up in the dump or a potters field…can you imagine after living the lifestyle she lived only to have your kids discard you like they do their own children…allegedly
LumpyPillows
Hmmm, I guess they would want to move her rotting corpse. Poor thing.
greekboy
Let me count the ways
dbmcvey
Oops!
I’m sure she’ll be fine.
abfab
Everything’s a Witch Hunt with this bitch.
“It is a great company that has been slandered and maligned by this politically motivated Witch Hunt. It is very unfair, and I call for help from the highest Courts in New York State, or the Federal System, to intercede. THIS IS NOT AMERICA!” Trump said.
Didn’t Bowie write that? Shala la la la………..
Fahd
Glad Queerty was able to offer Melania’s potential take on the judge’s ruling and its consequences.
Is that some kind of a quote where it says that she prefers Tr*mp Tower better [sic]?
mildredspierce
Poor dear. Get your snatch tightened, honey. You may have to sell it again, probably to another thumb sized dick.
Matthewnow
You’re my hero! How do you tighten up room temperature jello.
greekboy
The city of NY could buy TT and use it to house illegal immigrants she would fit right in…just kidding, she might be able to get a job cleaning their toilets
mateo
I’ve been thinking along the same lines, but in an area that would irk Trump even more: Turn the whole building into a NYC Women’s Center. Housing for battered women and unwed teen mothers; use the gym facilities to teach martial arts to women; have special areas for teaching English as a second language and for women who haven’t completed their high school education. The possibilities are endless, and everything would happen in a building that USED TO belong to him!
ScottOnEarth
She’ll just continue living at their no-tell motel in Florida and who gives a sh*t where this grifter lives? The irony is that her obvious goal in life was to latch onto a sugar daddy but, given that her benefactor is a born loser, she is now a pariah in New York and around the world. The only people who would have her over for dinner live in trailer parks and are married to their siblings.
MacAdvisor
The loss of the business of Trump Tower, which is the leasing of the retail space and the operating contract for the condos contained therein does not effect the personal ownership of the penthouse owned by Trump personally. The penthouse isn’t owned by his business and not part of the Trump Organization and other associated business. Thus, Melania is safe in her penthouse.
abfab
Malania and safe. An odd combo of words in the same sentence, no less!
dwgandy
That depends on whether or not he pays the maintenance fees. The HOA could have it seized for nonpayment. It may also depend on how he has the Trump Organization set up. If it is not set up as an LLC the state might be able to go in and seize furnishings and other property to satisfy any judgements since he has multiple homes. It just depends on the laws of New York state. In Texas if you are a business owner and you get a judgement against you and lose and cannot pay, the Judge can allow the plaintiff to seize your personal assets to satisfy the judgement. They have to leave you one chair, a bed, a light and a clock. Just the bare necessities. Does anyone know if NY law is this way?
Kangol2
Thank you, NY Attorney General Tish James, for repeatedly and decisively pointing out Don the Con’s FRAUD, using extensive evidence, and defeating him in a court of law. This woman deserves so much praise, in part for pointing out the lies and systemic rot and FRAUD that characterizes the entire corrupt, criminal Con family.