The election interference case has been suspended, but Donald Trump still cannot escape a $454 million fine despite complaining about... lack of cash.

On February 28, the US Supreme Court agreed to consider whether former President Donald Trump is entitled to immunity in his prosecution for election interference.

Tạm thời được dừng xét xử vụ can thiệp bầu cử, ông Donald Trump vẫn không 'thoát' một án phạt 454 triệu USD

Former US President Donald Trump must pay the full $454 million fine in a civil fraud lawsuit. (Source: AP)

The AP reported that in an announcement, the Supreme Court said it would hear arguments and rule on whether Trump should be granted immunity on April 22. During that time, the case over Trump’s possible election interference was temporarily suspended, meaning it would not be allowed to go to trial.

On legal issues, the Supreme Court will decide "whether and to what extent a former president is generally immune from criminal prosecution for matters relating to his official duties in office."

If the Supreme Court rules against Mr Trump, the election interference trial could take months to get underway. If he wins, the entire case would be dismissed.

Initially, the Chief Judge of the Federal Court in Washington DC, Ms. Tanya Chutkan, scheduled the trial of Mr. Trump's election interference case for March 2024. This is one of four criminal cases in which former President Trump is prosecuted.

If elected president this year, Mr. Trump would have the power to order the indictment dismissed. If convicted by then, he could seek a self-pardon.

On the same day, the Financial Times reported that New York State Court of Appeals Chief Justice Anil Singh forced former President Trump to pay the full $454 million fine as determined in a civil fraud lawsuit.

Defense attorneys said Mr. Trump was willing to post $100 million bail, arguing that he could not get a higher amount without selling some of his real estate and could not pay the full amount of the judgment while he was appealing.

While assets may have to be sold to raise cash in urgent cases, there will be no way to recover them in the event of a successful appeal, nor will there be any way to recover the financial losses incurred.

Judge Singh agreed to temporarily halt the portion of the ruling that bars Mr. Trump and his sons from operating the family business for several years, a temporary order that will be in place before the full panel of the New York Court of Appeals.

Former President Trump's net worth is estimated to be in the billions, but most of it is in real estate, not cash.

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