On Monday, Trump achieved another victory in what has been one of his most challenging legal battles to date. A New York appeals court agreed with pausing the enforcement of a civil fraud judgment exceeding $454 million against former President Donald Trump, if he puts up $175 million within 10 days. Meeting this condition would halt collection efforts and protect the likely Republican presidential candidate’s assets from confiscation during his appeal process.
The presidential race
Former President Donald Trump has already secured the minimum required number of delegates, positioning him as the anticipated Republican presidential candidate to challenge President Joe Biden in the upcoming November election. With significant backing and delaying the trials in his legal cases, Trump’s doors to the general election are wide open. Key swing states, known to be critical in determining the election outcome, are the focus of his campaign strategy.
Support
The far-right faction within the Republican Party now constitutes Trump’s most substantial base of support, leading to a noticeable rift within the party. This division has been more pronounced in recent weeks as an increasing number of senators have publicly criticized Trump’s dominance in the party. While many of Trump’s previously close aides, such as former Vice President Mike Pence, have refrained from supporting his current presidential bid, there are others who, despite their eagerness to possibly maintain their proximity to Trump, have been sidelined.
Swing states are in focus
A few weeks ago, Trump explained that he was preparing a special plan to win over Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania, key states for securing a victory in the presidential race. Last week, Trump added the state of New York to the list, saying that he has heavy play in an effort to get support from New York voters. In thanking New York Republicans who backed him for the 2024 race, Trump left out former personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani. This serves as further evidence that Trump severed ties with many of his former closest allies and aides.
Heavy play to win New York
“Thank you to all of the Great Politicians, Representatives, and County Committees for your Endorsement of me. New York State is a much different place now than it was even two years ago,” Trump wrote on Truth Social last week. “We will be making a very heavy play for New York in the upcoming Presidential Election. November 5th will be the most important day in the History of our Country!”
More than 80 names are on the list
The list featured endorsements from a wide range of New York’s political landscape, including New York lawmakers in the House of Representatives, New York State Electees, New York City Council members, New York State Clubs & Committees, and “notables,”     but conspicuously left out Giuliani and George Santos, a recently expelled Republican congressman. The absence of Giuliani’s name, in particular, was unexpected, considering his past close relationship with Trump.
Rudi Giuliani
Trump listed Giuliani as a partner in his efforts to contest the results of the 2020 presidential election in Georgia. But relations with the former NYC mayor started to break in 2021 when Trump allegedly refused to pay Giuliani’s legal bills after previously promising to help him financially. Giuliani is one of several individuals unpaid by Trump’s political team for their efforts at the end of 2020.
George Santos
After being ousted for fabricating his background and misusing campaign money on personal luxuries, including Botox and high-end items, George Santos, the former Republican congressman, declared he would run for office again in 2024. Trump has remained silent on the issues plaguing Santos, who briefly served New York’s 3rd congressional district from January to December 2023.
Read also: California Rep. Nancy Pelosi turns Trump speech into a tool for Biden’s gain
Days after Trump’s post on Truth Social, Santos withdrew his bid to run as a Republican in a Long Island House race, opting instead for an independent run. This decision came on Friday, following a bipartisan agreement among House Republicans and Democrats to prevent a government shutdown, a move that disappointed many far-right party members.
