A report by Indy100 on Saturday, February 17, 2024, highlighted former President Donald Trump facing backlash and ridicule for his extravagant assertion that his Florida retreat, Mar-a-Lago, holds a higher value than Buckingham Palace, the esteemed residence of Queen Elizabeth II and considered the world’s most expensive house.
Trump made this audacious claim on Tuesday, October 3, 2023, outside a New York courtroom where he was ordered to pay a $364 million fine in a civil fraud case led by the state attorney general, Letitia James. The case alleged Trump and his associates inflated property values to obtain loans and tax benefits, defrauding investors and consumers.
Mar-a-Lago, one of the contested properties, was valued at $612 million by Trump in financial statements, while the Palm Beach County Assessor appraised it between $18 million and $27.6 million. Judge Arthur Engoron ruled Trump liable for fraud, deeming his valuation of Mar-a-Lago “materially false and misleading” due to omitted land use restrictions.
Trump, disputing the judge’s decision, adamantly insisted Mar-a-Lago was worth “a billion and a half, $750 million, it’s worth a fortune,” labeling the judge as “crooked” and James as “totally corrupt.” Online, Trump’s claim was swiftly debunked and mocked, with Buckingham Palace’s estimated worth of $4.9 billion contrasting sharply.
Amidst the mockery, Trump’s fixation on Mar-a-Lago’s value overshadowed the serious allegations and repercussions of the fraud case, which could impact his political and financial future. James emphasized the fine as a message that “no one is above the law,” vowing to pursue “justice and accountability for the people of New York.”
Trump, countering, vowed to appeal the ruling, boasting of his financial statements and hinting at a potential 2024 presidential run, citing “tremendous support” and intentions to decide “at the right time.”
My friends and family will be overjoyed at the prospect of watching the Americans throw that over bearing fool, Donald j trump, right into a jail cell.
I want to see him on his knees crying.🇨🇦🦫🍁