Bad news for Donald Trump just a few months before the election

• Trump’s criminal trial developments.
• His gag order is expanded.
• He faces 34 counts of fraud.

Former United States President Donald Trump is dealt a hard blow in the run up to the election.

He has been given two pieces of bad news that could have a negative impact on his finances and legal issues.

There are developments in the Republican candidates legal cases.

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Trump posts $175 million bond

First, former President Donald Trump posted a $175 million bond on Monday for his civil fraud case in New York.

This will prevent the state from seizing his assets while Trump appeals a $454 million fine.

The bond payment comes after a New York appeals court adjusted the amount down from a much higher number.

He was also granted an additional 10 days to make the million-dollar payment, according to EFE.

Trump’s children also face penalties

Trump had previously been given 30 days to post bond for the full amount while he appealed the fine.

However, his lawyers said they were unable to find an insurance company willing to sign a bond of that magnitude.

Donald Trump, along with three of his children and his company, was fined on February 16 by Judge Arthur Engoron.

They were found to have fraudulently inflated the value of their assets to obtain more favorable terms on loans and insurance.

Trump could owe a larger sum

If his appeal is unsuccessful Trump would have to pay the full sum plus interest that increases daily.

However, if he wins the appeal, he would recover the bond and be freed of the debt.

In spite of the reduced bond, it is still unclear how the court will ultimately rule on the case.

Trump has denied the allegations and called the case a «witch hunt» by Democrats.

The gag order is expanded

In an another development, Judge Juan Merchan expanded the gag order associated with Trump’s criminal trial that will begin on April 15 in New York.

This order prohibits Trump from commenting on the families of Judge Merchan and prosecutor Alvin Bragg.

This amends an earlier one issued the previous week, which prohibited Trump from commenting on potential witnesses.

He is also barred from discussing lawyers and court officials in the case. The original order did not include Merchan, Bragg or their loved ones.

Details of Trump’s criminal trial

The criminal case against Trump focuses on irregular payments made to porn actress Stormy Daniels during his 2016 presidential campaign, in order to buy her silence about an alleged affair.

Judge Merchan has justified the expansion of the gag order by pointing out that Trump’s attacks against relatives of jurists and lawyers have no legitimate purpose.

In addition, these attacks have generated fear among those who are participating in Trump’s criminal trial.

The trial will begin on the 15th with jury selection.

Will the legal cases be resolved before the election?

This is significant, since it is the first criminal trial involving the former president.

Months before the election, Trump faces 34 charges related to fraud.

These include falsifying documents to hide the payment to Stormy Daniels and buy her silence about their alleged affair.

It remains to be seen whether these cases are resolved before the election.