opinion
“Shark Tank” star Kevin O'Leary spoke out this week criticizing a New York judge's recent decision to fine former President Donald Trump a staggering $355 million, calling it “un-American.”
O'Leary criticizes Trump's ruling
Last Friday, Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Arthur Engoron imposed this fine on Trump and banned him from doing business in his native New York for three years. This did not sit well with O'Leary, who immediately spoke up to spark the decision.
“The fact that he was convicted, every real estate developer on the face of the earth would find him guilty,” O’Leary told the New York Post. “I don't understand where someone was hurt… What developer wouldn't ask for the highest estimated price for any building they built?”
“This is not healthy for the country,” he continued. “I want this to be reviewed, appealed and handed over because it is wrong for everyone involved. If this continues, every developer should be jailed. They should be convicted. They should be put out of business. You can’t do this to each other. This is not about Trump.”
“It's appalling. It's unfair. I would go so far as to say it's un-American,” O'Leary added.
O'Leary did not stop there, as he described New York as a “losing state” and predicted a mass exodus of companies from the state if the decision continues.
“He just caught us by surprise. You have no idea. It sent a shockwave through the real estate industry. It's crazy,” he concluded.
“I don't think this thing is going to survive an appeal regardless of the fine. That doesn't even make sense,” O'Leary previously told CNN.
Watch that interview in the video below.
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Trump tears up the government
Trump himself has also criticized the ruling.
“A crooked New York State judge, working for a completely corrupt Attorney General who ran on the basis of 'I'll get Trump,' before knowing anything about me or my company, fined me $355 million on the basis of nothing more than that I built a company… Great. Election interference. “Witch hunt,” Trump said in response, according to WSAU.
Trump went on to say that the judge's decision was a “complete and complete sham,” adding that “there were no victims, no damages, no complaints. Just satisfied banks and insurance companies (that made a lot of money), and great financial statements, which didn't even include the most valuable assets.” VALUE – TRUMP BRAND, IRONCLAD DISCLAIMER (BUYER BEWARE, DO YOUR DUE DILIGENCE), AND GREAT REAL ESTATE WORLDWIDE.”
RELATED: 'Control your client': Judge tells Trump he can't give closing arguments, objects to 'fraud' trial anyway
Trump's lawyer speaks
Trump's lawyer, Alina Haba, indicated that they would appeal, calling the decision “a clear injustice — plain and simple and given the grave risks, we are confident that the Appellate Division will overturn this egregious ruling and end this relentless persecution against my client.”
It was reported last month that the case was the first of its kind where there was no official victim or crime listed in the lawsuit due to the banks repaying the loans, and no one suffered losses on the trades. Many see it as just another anti-Trump witch hunt launched in a liberal city with the aim of preventing him from being re-elected later this year.
It is rare for any public figure to defend Trump in any way, so we applaud O'Leary for having the courage to speak out against this un-American decision. Ultimately, this ruling is likely to increase Trump's power, because it makes it even clearer that he is being unfairly targeted by the left!
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