Former President Donald Trump has issued a chilling prediction, stating that no business will remain in New York if he loses the ongoing legal case brought against him by the state’s Attorney General, Letitia James, Newsweek reported on Friday, December 8.
The case, filed last year, alleges that Trump and his two eldest sons engaged in a decade-long scheme involving “numerous acts of fraud and misrepresentation” to inflate Trump’s net worth.
Trump, who vehemently denies any wrongdoing and dismisses the case as a political witch hunt, made the ominous declaration after testifying at a Manhattan court on Thursday.
Speaking to reporters outside the courthouse, he asserted, “Businesses are watching this case. No business will go back into New York, no business will frankly stay in New York, some businesses are talking about leaving New York because of this action, this very serious action.”
The former president’s comments, captured in a shared clip on social media, have raised concerns about the potential economic repercussions for New York if Trump’s prediction were to materialize.
Critics argue that such a scenario could have far-reaching consequences for the state’s business landscape.
Despite facing 91 felony charges across four indictments, Trump continues to maintain a significant lead in Republican primary polling.
As of December 7, he commands an estimated 59.3 percent of the Republican vote, according to poll aggregators.
Trump, currently entangled in legal battles, expressed frustration at being tied up in court proceedings instead of focusing on political activities, noting that he should be in Iowa, where he claims to lead by a substantial margin.
The legal case brought by Attorney General Letitia James alleges that Trump and his sons inflated the value of assets to gain financial advantages, including favorable loans.
In September, Judge Arthur Engoron, overseeing the case, concluded that Trump had submitted “fraudulent valuations” of assets and ordered the cancellation of the Trump Organization’s business certificates in New York, along with those of affiliated businesses.
This decision, which could have severely restricted Trump’s business activities in the state, faced a legal challenge.
In October, the New York Appellate Division temporarily halted the dissolution of some of Trump’s valuable New York properties pending the resolution of the case.
Trump celebrated a recent decision by a New York State Appeals Court, which affirmed the temporary halt, characterizing it as a significant victory for business.
However, the unfolding legal saga continues to cast a shadow over Trump’s business dealings and political aspirations, with implications that extend beyond the courtroom.
As New York watches the legal drama unfold, the potential departure of businesses from the state, as suggested by Trump, raises concerns about the broader economic landscape and the consequences for local communities.
