Scientologists raise £171k on GoFundMe to pay Donald Trump's £281m legal fees
The wife of an American investor has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help former US president Donald Trump pay his legal fees after a judge ordered him to fork out nearly $355million (£281million) on Friday.
Grant Cardone's wife Elena, who describes herself as a mother, an "ardent supporter of American values" and "an advocate for justice", created the fundraiser while describing the court proceedings as "an attack on the very ideals of fairness and due process that every American deserves". Two days ago, New York State Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron found the former president and current presidential candidate lied about his wealth for years.
The judge ordered Trump and his companies to pay the state $354,868,768 plus interest, pushing the penalty to $450million (£357million). Trump has also been banned from doing business in New York for three years, while his sons Donald Jr. and Eric are barred for two years.
READ MORE: Biggest bombshells from Trump's civil fraud trial as the former president is ordered to pay out £281M
Trump supporters have been donating to the fundraiser (GoFundMe/Getty Images)Ms Cardone wrote on the GoFundMe page: "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."
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She added: "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." Ms Cardone and her husband are major donors to the Church of Scientology and close friends to its current leader, David Miscavige.
At the time of writing, MAGA fans have donated over $212,000 (£168,000) - with a person making a huge donation of $5,000 (£4,000). One wrote on GoFundMe: "Donald J Trump is a victim of the left-wing socialist trying to undermine America. He is the greatest president we've ever had and I will vote for him regardless of any circumstance."
Trump was ordered to pay $355million on Friday (Getty Images)Another person, who donated $500 (£400), added: "The current political climate has been the scariest thing to me since 9/11. What the 'corrupt justice system' is getting away with should scare every American! Change is constant, you’re either moving forward or backwards. I feel every day we are losing more and more of our civil liberties. I pray we can get back on track."
One more commented: "Love or hate him, this is unjust targeting of an American citizen and if it can happen to him, it can happen to you. This should make even Democrats sick if they believe in what they've preached for decades."
After the judge's decision, Trump announced he would launch is own line of branded shoes while attending Sneaker Con, a convention for sneaker fans in Philadelphia. Some audience members were booing while others cheered as the former president presented a pair of the gold-coloured shoes being sold online for $399 (£316).
"I've wanted to do this a long time," Trump said as he unveiled the new shoes. The website also sells Trump-branded Victory47 cologne and perfume for $99 ($78) a bottle.
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