In a potentially damaging revelation, Donald Trump Jr. unintentionally may have undermined the defense strategy of his family in the ongoing Mar-a-Lago fraud trial. During his testimony on Monday, Trump Jr. referred to the family’s Florida property, Mar-a-Lago, as an “estate” rather than a club.
Describing Mar-a-Lago as “one of the finest estates anywhere in the world” and likening it to an “American castle,” Trump Jr.’s choice of words has drawn attention to the family’s perception of the property as a residential estate.
As reported by ABC News, The trial revolves around the contested valuation of Mar-a-Lago, a key element in the $250 million bank fraud case against the Trump Organization. Last week, the New York state attorney general’s office presented evidence of inconsistent deeds and assessments for Trump’s international properties, including a development deed for Mar-a-Lago that designates it as a club, not a primary residence.
Despite deed restrictions indicating its status as a club, the prosecution argues that Trump deliberately inflated Mar-a-Lago’s value, claiming it as a private home that could be sold as such. The fraud case aims to prove that Trump misled banks and insurers by significantly exaggerating his net worth.
In a significant development, New York State Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron has already ruled that Donald Trump and his two sons, Don Jr. and Eric, committed fraud in connection with the case.