Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, Cropped by Resist the Mainstream

On Monday, a New York Appeals Court delivered a win to former President Donald Trump, slashing his bond payment by more than half and ordering him to pay $175 million within the next 10 days.

Trump had originally faced a Monday deadline to pay a $454 million bond payment that came as a result of civil fraud allegations from New York Attorney General Letitia James. However, just hours ahead of the deadline, the appeals court’s ruling came through. Trump said he will “abide” by the decision.

If Trump posts the $175 million by the new deadline, it would prevent James from attempting to seize his assets, which she has repeatedly threatened to do. Trump continues to appeal the judgment by New York Judge Arthur Engoron.

“Judge Engoron has refused to obey the decision of the Appellate Division relative to the Statute of Limitations. This is a confrontation between a Judge and those that rule above him – A very bad situation in which to place New York State and the Rule of Law! Engoron has disrespected the Appellate Division and its very clear and precise ruling,” Trump posted on his Truth Social Monday. “He should be made to do so, and at the same time, release the GAG ORDER.” 

Trump said the appeals ruling Monday is “the 5th time in this case that he has been overturned, a record.” 

Trump also blasted Judge Arthur Engoron, saying “his credibility, and that of Letitia James, has been shattered.” 

“We will abide by the decision of the Appellate Division, and post either a bond, equivalent securities, or cash,” Trump said. “This also shows how ridiculous and outrageous Engoron’s original decision was at $450 Million.” 

“I DID NOTHING WRG, AND NEW YORK SHOULD NEVER BE PUT IN A POSITI LIKE THIS AGAIN,” Trump added. “BUSINESSES ARE FLEEING, VIOLENT CRIME IS FLOURISHING, AND IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THIS BE RESOLVED IN ITS TOTALITY AS SO AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU!” 

While responding to questions outside of the courtroom following the decision, Trump was asked what his collateral on the bond would be, simply responding, “cash” before walking out of the room. 

Trump attorney Christopher Kise said the ruling “represents a great first step towards the ultimate reversal of a baseless and reckless judgment.” 

“The First Department no doubt recognized the rule of law must triumph over the political agenda of the Attorney General,” Kise said in a statement. “President Trump looks forward to a full and fair appellate process which overturns the judgment and ends the Attorney General's abuse of power and tyrannical pursuit of the front running candidate for President of the United States.”

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for James said on Monday that Trump “is still facing accountability for his staggering fraud.” 

“The court has already found that he engaged in years of fraud to falsely inflate his net worth and unjustly enrich himself, his family, and his organization,” James' spokesperson said. “The $464 million judgment – plus interest – against Donald Trump and the other defendants still stands.”

Trump has vowed to fight the case “all the way up to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary.” 

Engoron's ruling came after a months-long non-jury trial stemming from James' years-long investigation. However, many have criticized James for going after the former President, as she vowed to “get Trump,” while campaigning for attorney general.

“We’re definitely gonna sue him, we’re gonna be a real pain in the a–,” James once told a supporter on video.

Engoron ruled that Trump and other defendants were liable for “persistent and repeated fraud,” “falsifying business records,” “issuing false financial statements,” “conspiracy to falsify false financial statements,” “insurance fraud” and “conspiracy to commit insurance fraud.” 

He ruled that neither Trump, nor his sons, would be allowed to continue running their family business. However, that was overturned by an appeals court while Trump continues the appeals process.

Trump said in an interview on Friday that he is more than capable of posting the bond, saying he has nearly $500 million in cash, but is pushing with his legal team to appeal the ruling altogether. 

Additionally, his company, Trump Media & Technology Group, the parent company of Truth Social, is set to become public after a merger Monday. The company will trade on the Nasdaq as “DJT.” Trump owns more than 78 million shares of the stock, valued at nearly $4 billion. 

“That doesn’t mean I’m going to give money to a rogue and incompetent judge – the puppet of a corrupt attorney general who’s failing with violent crime and migrant crime and whose only purpose in life is attempting to get Trump,” Trump told Fox News, referring to Engoron and James.