In a recent development, former President Donald Trump has appealed a jury verdict in a case against him and has posted the full $5 million that he was initially awarded. However, he faces a decision within the next two weeks to either post a bond for 20% of the total amount or the full amount plus interest, which could reach up to $89 million. If Trump fails to comply, the plaintiff's legal team can start pursuing his assets to satisfy the judgment.
It is worth noting that Trump is currently under a monitorship with the Trump Organization, which means that many of his properties are being overseen by former federal judge Barbara Jones. Any potential transfer of assets to pay off the judgment would require her approval, adding a layer of complexity to the situation.
Regarding a separate case involving defamation claims filed by voting technology company Smartmatic, it has been revealed that the president of One America News (OAN), a far-right-wing network, sent an email to Trump campaign lawyer Sidney Powell. The email contained a spreadsheet claiming to have the passwords of employees from Smartmatic. While the details surrounding the email remain unclear, it is worth noting that Powell has been involved in similar allegations concerning Dominion and Smartmatic voting machines.
As of now, it is uncertain whether any criminal implications will arise from this situation. However, the email's timing coincides with Powell's involvement in a voting machine breach case that alleged Dominion and Smartmatic machines were faulty or manipulated. The existence of these circumstantial connections adds intrigue to the matter, but further investigation is required to reveal the full extent of the developments.
Looking ahead, it is important to note that most cases of this nature end up reaching settlements. The Dominion case, for instance, resulted in a significant settlement, as the discovery process threatened to expose sensitive internal communications. Smartmatic may have similar concerns and may opt to pursue a settlement rather than endure a protracted legal battle.
The outcome of these cases involving Trump's appeals and the defamation claims against Smartmatic remains uncertain. The decisions made in the coming weeks are likely to shape the future of these legal proceedings and potentially have far-reaching consequences for all parties involved.
