Opinion
“Shark Tank” star Kevin O’Leary spoke out this week to criticize 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 Justice 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 out to burn the decision.
“The fact that he was found guilty means that every real estate developer on Earth could also be found guilty,” O’Leary told the New York Post. “I don’t understand where anyone got hurt… What developer doesn’t ask for the highest valued price for any building they build?”
“It’s 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 judgment stands. Every developer should be imprisoned. They must be found guilty. We have to put them out of business. You can’t do this to each other. “It’s not about Trump.”
“It’s horrible. It is unfair. I would go so far as to say he is un-American,” O’Leary added.
Not stopping there, O’Leary called New York a “losing state” and predicted a mass exodus of businesses from the state if the decision stands.
“We are just stunned. You have no idea. The shock wave spread through the real estate industry. Crazy,” he concluded.
O’Leary previously told CNN: “I don’t think this will ever survive appeal, regardless of what the fine is. “This doesn’t even make sense.”
Watch that interview in the video below.
Related: ‘Shark Tank’ Star Kevin O’Leary Plans to Teach Bud Light’s 25% Market Share Collapse to College Students
Trump breaks sentence
Trump himself has also criticized the ruling.
“A corrupt New York state judge, working with a totally corrupt Attorney General who ran on the basis of ‘I’m going to get Trump,’ before knowing anything about me or my company, just fined me $355 million based solely on in having built A GREAT COMPANY. ELECTORAL INTERFERENCE. WITCH HUNT,” Trump said in response, according to WSAU.
Trump went on to say that the judge’s decision was “a complete and total travesty,” adding that “there were no victims, no harm, no complaints. Just happy banks and insurance companies (who made a ton of money), EXCELLENT financial statements, which didn’t even include the most valuable asset: the TRUMP brand, IRONCLAD disclaimers (buyer beware and do your own due diligence), and amazing Properties around the world.”
Related: ‘Control your client’: Judge told Trump he couldn’t make closing arguments, but still criticized trial for ‘fraud’
Trump’s lawyer speaks
Trump’s lawyer, Alina Habba, indicated that they will appeal and described the decision as “a manifest injustice; Quite simply, and given the seriousness of the stakes, we are confident that the Appellate Division will overturn this egregious verdict and put an end to this relentless persecution of my clients.”
It was reported last month that this case is the first of its kind, as no victims or crimes were officially listed in the lawsuit because the banks were repaid for their loans and no one took losses on the settlements. Many see it as yet another witch hunt against Trump launched in a liberal city with the goal of preventing him from being re-elected later this year.
It’s rare for a public figure to defend Trump in any way, so we applaud O’Leary for having the guts to speak out against this un-American decision. In the end, this ruling will likely only strengthen Trump, as it only makes it more obvious that he is actually being unfairly attacked by the left.
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