Eric Trump, the son of former President Donald Trump, made a bold analogy that raised eyebrows and prompted widespread ridicule on social media.
Likening his family's assets to the iconic "Mona Lisa" painting by Leonardo da Vinci, Trump's assertion became the focal point of discussions surrounding the Trump Organization's ongoing civil fraud trial in New York.
The trial, initiated by New York Attorney General Letitia James, alleges that Donald Trump and his company consistently overvalued their assets for financial gain.
The presiding judge, Arthur Engoron, has already ruled that they committed fraud over an extended period. The trial delves into six additional allegations, including insurance fraud, as the Trump Organization faces legal scrutiny.
You can hear what Eric Trump said in the video below.
He said:
“Our assets are worth a fortune. They’re the Mona Lisas of the real estate world."
"You have a court that values Mar-a-Lago at $18 million. Give me a break."
"They're literally the laughingstock of the real estate community and frankly all of Florida because people know how much real estate values are."
Eric Trump was swiftly mocked for his statements.
Eric Trump has made outlandish claims about his family and the Trump Organization throughout the trial and last week made a fervent appeal on Fox News in the aftermath of his father's contentious testimony.
He directed his comments towards Attorney General James, urging her to consider the well-being of the "thousands" of blue-collar workers employed by the Trump Organization, who would be profoundly affected by the potential dissolution of the organization.
He staunchly maintained that there “was no crime” in the family business despite Judge Arthur Engoron's prior ruling indicating otherwise.
Engoron's September decision held the former President and his two adult sons liable for "persistent and repeated" fraud, leading to the revocation of the Trump Organization's business licenses and James seeking a $250 million penalty.
