Trump is just like me: unable to find 464 million dollars
+ MacKenzie Scott donates $640m to US non-profits, and is Travis Kelce smarter than a fifth grader?
Good morning my angels!!!! Yesterday I had the one of the most EXCITING interview opportunities of my LIFE come across my desk (into my inbox) and I CANNOT WAIT to take all you Close Friends along with me (if you’re a closie you already know who it is.)
The second best thing that happened to me was getting the ponderous puzzle correct on the first round in our weekly quiz (if you know you know.)
All in all, a gorge day - hope yours was too xxx
Over on Close Friends: I let you in on a big secret about who I get to interview next week and asked for your help with questions:
And did a fortune cookie for you all:
Over in the Book Club chat: I asked for ideas on what our next Book Club book should be 👀
What Bel’s talking about in Wait But What? This week is about one of the topics Bel writes about best: female friendships and why it seems like everyone online has them and wants us to be jealous of them!!!
⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖ IN THE NEWS⊹˚. ♡.𖥔 ݁ ˖
Trump is just like me: unable to make a $464 million bond
Ok, so it seems Trump needs to arrange a $464m bond in six days in order to comply with a NYC ruling.
Why?
“In New York, if you make money by persistently committing fraud, you owe the ill-gotten portion back to the state. In this case, Judge Engoron determined that Donald Trump made over $350 million more than he should have if he'd been honest and when you add in interest, you get to $454 million.”
At this stage, Trump’s attorneys have been rejected by 30 companies they’ve contacted to back the bond, which could see him having to pay an estimated 16% of what Forbes reports is his $2.6bn net worth.
Here’s what the BBC reckon could happen:
Trump gets a pause
“A panel of appeals court judges will decide by 25 March whether the $464m judgement can be paused while Mr Trump appeals.” This is the one Trump would want the most.
He secures a bond
“Mr Trump could still find a way to secure a bond - for a fee - if his request for a stay is rejected, although according to his lawyers, this could be difficult. The bonding company would be agreeing to pay the financial penalty if Mr Trump loses his appeal and cannot do so himself.
But his legal team said they had already approached 30 companies without success.”
A compromise option
“The court could require Mr Trump to post a bond of a smaller amount while he appeals against the ruling.
Mr Trump, however, has already asked an appeals court to allow him to post a bond covering $100m instead. His lawyers argued he would "suffer irreparable harm" if forced to pay the full sum up front. That request was rejected by a judge.”
Mr Trump pays the penalty
“Without a bond to cover the full amount, Mr Trump could attempt to pay the judgement with his own money.
He told a court last year that he had $400m in liquid assets.
To get cash quickly to cover the rest of the fine, experts said he could try to refinance his properties or quickly sell some of his assets - but selling real estate properties could take time.
He could also declare bankruptcy, which would allow him to avoid paying the judgement.”
New York takes Trump's assets
“If Mr Trump cannot find a way to pay the fraud judgement or secure a bond by 25 March, the New York Attorney General Letitia James can begin to collect the fee and take his assets.
She has said she will do so if he fails to pay.”
Got thoughts?
MacKenzie Scott donates $640m to US non-profits
Jeff Bezos’ ex wife MacKenzie Scott is still on her quest to donate half of her wealth (a chill $37.5bn) before she dies.
Scott made another dent in that number this week, by donating $640m across 361 small groups, including (but not limited to): the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Alabama, Justice for Migrant Women, the Sacramento LGBT Community Center and Mental Health Advocacy Services.
With this latest round of donations, MacKenzie has given away $16.5bn since her divorce in 2019.
A legend, fr.
Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar just unexpectedly quit
“The Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Leo Varadkar will step down as party leader immediately and will resign as taoiseach as soon as his Fine Gael successor is selected.”
Mr Varadkar announced his resignation yesterday, saying that his reasons for stepping down were "both personal and political" but that he was "not the best person for the job anymore."
Mr Varadkar added that he was "proud that we have made the country a more equal and more modern place when it comes to the rights of children, the LGBT community, equality for women and their bodily autonomy".
During his time as taoiseach, Mr Varadkar championed referendums to change the Irish constitution legalising same-sex marriage and abortion.
Mr Varadkar also listed work to improve the affordability of childcare among his achievements as well as increasing government spending on arts and culture, international development, and public infrastructure.
☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★ ON THE WEB ☆⋆｡𖦹°‧★
Travis Kelce in Talks to Host ‘Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?
Olivia Rodrigo Announces Deluxe GUTS (spilled) Album Mid-Concert
☆Other good shit☆
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Did Trump learn nothing from Schitt's Creek and Gossip Girl?
Genuinely so impressive of MacKenzie Scott for saying she was going to donate the money and following through in the way she has!