Donald Trump reportedly used a bail bondsman after being arrested at Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday, paying $20,000 of his bond set at $200,000 and taking out a loan for the rest of it. The fact that the former president resorted to such a measure has sparked questions on social media about the state of his finances.

    • Emma_Gold_Man@lemmy.dbzer0.com
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      22
      ·
      edit-2
      1 year ago

      Because if you pay the $200k you get it back when the case is over. The $20k is gone forever.

      That’s assuming the judge doesn’t decide you’ve violated the bond conditions forfeit the bond. If that happens, the bondsman’s going to go after you for the full $200k in addition to what you paid though, and you still wind up $20k poorer than if you put up the full amount in the first place.

      What probably happened is that he plans to use his usual delaying tactics and run the case out for several years, so his accountants decided they could earn at least 11% on the remaining $180k by the time the case is up, making it cheaper to pay the $20k up front.

        • Trainguyrom@reddthat.com
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          1
          ·
          1 year ago

          He’s got 24/7 secret service protection just like every former president. I don’t think there’s any way he can actually flee unless he can flat out refuse secret service protection, which I’m sure he already knows is a significant risk to his personal security so he probably won’t.

          Honestly I strongly suspect he’s going to try to drag out every charge for as long as possible, use every legal and illegal tactic he can to avoid actually being sentenced to more than a fine, then if he ever sees actual jail time he’ll commit suicide. I can’t see him pulling a Skreli and doing a few months with his head low before getting out on good behavior

          • Hotzilla@sopuli.xyz
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            1
            ·
            1 year ago

            Why would protection service limit his movement? He can just jump to his private plane and fly to Russia. He definitely will extend this BS as long as possible and collect money from gullible people to “fund” his defence (meaning that he pockets the money)

    • newllama@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      8
      ·
      1 year ago

      I think there’s logistical issues with paying your own bail in full. Like, the court has limited hours and may not accept wire transfers. It could be days before they can clear that kind of money and you’re in jail until that time. The bondsmen already have all that ready to go with the courts so they can do it instantly.