Exclusive: Inside Trump's Secret Billionaire Rescue Mission - How Major Republican Donors Saved His Empire!

Exclusive: Inside Trump's Secret Billionaire Rescue Mission - How Major Republican Donors Saved His Empire!

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Several prominent Republican donors reportedly collaborated to assist former President Donald Trump in securing the original bond amount required to cover his $454 million civil fraud judgment before the Monday deadline, according to three sources familiar with the matter.

Trump was found liable in a New York civil case for fraudulently inflating his net worth to secure better loan and insurance terms. 

He sought to delay enforcement of the judgment by posting a smaller $175 million bond within 10 days, which was granted on Monday. However, prior to the decision, Trump appeared to be facing difficulties in raising the original amount, risking the seizure of his properties.

Among the donors involved in the effort were billionaire hedge fund founder John Paulson and oil and gas magnate Harold Hamm, the sources said. 

They spoke on condition of anonymity to freely discuss the matter, which had not been previously reported.

Paulson, the founder of Paulson & Co, did not respond immediately to requests for comment. Hamm, the founder of Continental Resources, hung up when asked about his involvement and did not respond to follow-up requests for comment.

In response to inquiries, Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung denied any coordinated effort, stating that Trump had sufficient funds to cover the judgment.

A Trump ally with direct knowledge mentioned that one donor had offered over $10 million towards the bond over the weekend, although it was deemed unnecessary.

Following Monday's court decision, Trump stated that he would be able to pay the required amount quickly, whether in cash, bonds, securities, or other forms.

Surety companies would have likely required Trump to provide approximately $558 million in collateral for the original bond, representing 120% of the judgment, according to Trump's lawyers.

Further details about the donors' fundraising efforts, including the amount each donor potentially pledged, were not immediately available. One source mentioned that the group had pooled the full amount originally due on Monday. It remains unclear if the mega-donors would offer to support the new bond.

It is also uncertain whether Trump would be required to provide collateral or other guarantees to the benefactors.

The potential assistance from Trump's billionaire allies underscores his continued support among deep-pocketed donors as he seeks to regain the White House in the upcoming presidential election against Democrat Joe Biden.

The role of big donor money in this presidential election appears to be evolving, particularly as Trump faces financial challenges due to multiple legal judgments and expenses.

Paulson and Hamm are both involved in an upcoming campaign fundraiser for Trump, which is unrelated to the bond efforts. An invitation lists Paulson as a host and Hamm as a co-chair.

Proceeds from the April 6 event in Palm Beach, Florida, will benefit Trump's campaign, the Republican National Committee, state Republican parties, and a group that has been covering some of Trump's legal fees, according to the invitation.

Trump has reportedly considered Paulson for the position of Treasury secretary if he wins the presidency.

There is little transparency regarding the origins of funds obtained for a bond, and there is no obligation to disclose such information.

In Trump's case, the terms of his $91.6 million bond for a defamation verdict in favor of writer E. Jean Carroll were not disclosed. 

The bond was posted on March 8 by Federal Insurance Co, a part of Chubb, which requires that bonds be fully collateralized.

Regarding the civil fraud judgment, the bond would prevent the state from seizing Trump's assets while he appeals the judgment. 

A bonding company would be liable for any payout if Trump loses the appeal and is unable to pay.

Donors assisting with Trump's bonds could face scrutiny from election regulators or federal prosecutors if their contributions exceed campaign contribution limits. 

While the payment is not a direct donation to Trump's campaign, federal laws broadly define political contributions as "anything of value" provided to a campaign.

Earlier in March, Trump's lawyers stated that approximately 30 surety companies, approached through four brokers, had declined Trump's attempts to secure the original bond needed to cover the $454 million judgment.

Had the delay not been granted and had Trump been unable to post the original bond on Monday, New York Attorney General Letitia James could have sought court approval to begin seizing assets, including valuable real estate holdings like 40 Wall Street in Manhattan.

(Reporting by Alexandra Ulmer; Additional reporting by Liz Hampton, Lananh Nguyen, Nathan Layne, Greg Roumeliotis, Gram Slattery, Luc Cohen, Jack Queen, and Carolina Mandl; Editing by Colleen Jenkins, Nia Williams, and Michael Perry)

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