Properties Trump is likely to lose if he fails to secure bond in $464mn civil fraud case

Former US president Donald Trump has again asked his loyalists for donations to help him meet staggering amounts of legal fees as the New York attorney general on Thursday (Mar 21) took preliminary steps to seize his key assets in Westchester County.

Trump is due to cough up a whopping $454 million before the Monday deadline (Mar 25) in a civil judgment case against him for overstating his net worth and the value of his real estate properties. If Trump fails to post it, Attorney General Letitia James could startseizing his assets.

“Insane radical Democrat AG Letitia James wants to SEIZE my properties in New York. This includes the iconic Trump Tower,” Trump reportedly wrote in a fundraising email sent to supporters. “But worst of all? They think that YOU will abandon me, and that you will GIVE UP on our country. Here’s one thing they don’t know: WE WILL NEVER SURRENDER,” he further wrote.

Trump maintains that efforts are being made to stifle his campaign and intimidate him ahead of the presidential elections in November.

Properties that could be seized by Letitia James

On Thursday, James’s office took preliminary steps in Westchester County that indicated that a Trump-owned golf course and estate north of Manhattan could be in line to be seized. Similar steps have been taken in New York City. Here are details of majorproperties:

Nestled amidst the captivatingscenery of Westchester County, lies the grand Trump Seven Springs estate, an expansive 230-acre sanctuary spanning three towns: Bedford, Armonk, and Chappaqua.

Originally constructed in 1919 by Eugene Meyer, former publisher of the Washington Post and chairman of the Federal Reserve, this splendid mansion was acquired by the Trump Organization in 1996, marking a new chapter in its illustrious history.

Over in Briarcliff Manor, the esteemed Trump National Golf Club Westchester sits proudly as a premier private golf destination, encompassing 140 acres of verdant landscape. Its 18-hole course is complemented by a vast 75,000-square-foot clubhouse.

Established in 1922 as Briarcliff Country Club, the venue underwent various transformations, later known as Briar Hills Country Club and Briar Hall Golf and Country Club.

Watch:US: Donald Trump hurtles towards deadline

On his Truth Social platform, Trump said that putting up the money is “VERY EXPENSIVE” and said it was “not possible for bonding companies to do in such a high amount.” In this case, Trump has the only option to get an appeals court to allow him to post a smaller amount now and defer the rest before Monday's deadline.

How James will seize Trump’s assets?

Seizing assets from Trump's business would not be a straightforward task. Trump has organised his business structure by establishing numerous limited liability companies, totalling over 300, through which his properties and assets are managed under his trust.

Meanwhile, Trump's legal representatives on Thursday contested several proposals from the New York attorney general's office regarding his bond payment arrangements.

One such suggestion involved Trump obtaining multiple underwriters to secure bonds covering the entire judgment. However, Trump's lawyers argued that this would still necessitate him to provide half a billion dollars in cash or stock, which he currently doesn’t have.

In their filing, Trump's legal team asserted that the New York attorney general's office lacks the authority to dispute their assertions.

(With inputs from agencies)