Friday's ruling against former President Donald Trump in the New York civil fraud trial against him didn't necessarily come as a huge surprise. Still, the amount of the fines imposed on Trump and others in the Trump organization — almost $364 million — was jaw-droppingly large. Judge Arthur Engoron's decision raised the ire not just of Trump himself but many who view it as just another unjust use of lawfare aimed at kneecapping the GOP frontrunner for 2024's presidential election. 

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BREAKING: Judge Orders Trump to Pay Over $350 Million, Bars From NY Business in Civil Fraud Case

Trump-Backing Truckers Refuse to Drive to NYC After Former President Slapped With $355 Million Fine

While Trump's net worth is estimated at $2.6 billion, according to Forbes, the cost of the fraud judgment on top of the recent E. Jean Carroll verdict on top of defending multiple civil and criminal cases is staggering (which one supposes is the whole idea). 

With interest, Trump and his business could pay more than $450 million, according to the New York attorney general’s office.

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The Friday financial penalty comes shortly after Trump was ordered to pay $83.3 million when a judge determined last month that Trump defamed writer E. Jean Carroll. Trump was previously ordered to pay Carroll $5 million last year.

In response, Elena Cardone, wife of entrepreneur and investor Grant Cardone, has set up a GoFundMe page to help "fund the $355M unjust judgment." In her description of the fundraiser, Cardone sets forth her support for the former president, her disagreement with the Engoron ruling, and her rationale for crowdfunding on his behalf, noting that "This is more than a legal fund; it's a call to all businesses owners and entrepreneurs to rally in defense of all businesses and for man who has never hesitated to stand in defense of us." 

My name is Elena Cardone and I am a wife of Grant Cardone, mother and an ardent supporter of American values and an advocate for justice, I stand unwaveringly with President Donald Trump in the face of what I see as unprecedented and unfair treatment by certain judicial elements in New York.

The recent legal battles he faces are not just an attack on him, but an attack on the very ideals of fairness and due process that every American deserves. It's a moment that calls into question the balance of justice and the application of law, disproportionately aimed at silencing a voice that has been at the forefront of advocating for American strength, prosperity, and security.

In standing with Trump, we're upholding the cause of every business owner and entrepreneur who believes in the fight against a system that increasingly seeks to penalize dissent and curb our freedoms.

The fact that a business owner did a loan with a bank, never defaulted, nor missed a payment, pays back the loan with interest and caused no financial damage to anyone, yet, the government overreaches and slaps a business owner with a $355M ruling should terrify all business owners and entrepreneurs.

Is this Government seizing assets? Seeking financial ruin?

This is more than a legal fund; it's a call to all businesses owners and entrepreneurs to rally in defense of all businesses and for man who has never hesitated to stand in defense of us.

While Trump and his legal team have vowed to appeal and are appealing the judgments against him, the legal bills are undoubtedly mounting. Whether Cardone's efforts can approach the stated goal remains to be seen, but as of this writing, the page has raised over $434,000.