Donald Trump is said to have engaged the services of a bail bondsman after his arrest at Fulton County Jail in Atlanta, Georgia, covering $20,000 of the $200,000 bond and securing a loan for the remaining amount. This move led to speculation regarding Trump’s financial status on social platforms.
The former president voluntarily surrendered at the Georgia detention facility, facing 13 felony charges related to alleged actions to challenge his 2020 election defeat in the state. The indictment from earlier this month states that Trump, along with 18 others, including his attorney Rudy Giuliani and ex-White House chief of staff Mark Meadows, collaborated in this election scheme.
Since the year began, Trump has faced indictment on four occasions in various federal and criminal cases, with the most recent being in Georgia. He has always maintained his innocence.
His time at the Atlanta detention facility was brief, approximately 20 minutes, during which he had his mugshot taken for the first time this year. He wasn’t detained as he had previously agreed to settle his bond, fixed at $200,000.
However, numerous media sources indicate that Trump approached a bail bondsman for the transaction. A bail bondsman is typically an individual, agency, or firm that stands as a surety, collecting a fee from the accused.
Charles Shaw from Foster Bail Bonds, a Georgia-based service that has previously catered to politicians and renowned musicians like Gucci Mane and Rick Ross, was reported to be Trump’s chosen bondsman. A representative from Foster Bail Bonds, Susan Barikos, verified the company’s engagement in the matter.
Many find it peculiar for Trump, a self-proclaimed billionaire, to seek a bondsman rather than managing the cost independently.
Victoria Brownworth, a journalist, questioned on social platform X, previously known as Twitter, about Trump’s need for a bondsman given his billionaire status. Lawyer Tristan Snell pointed out on the same platform that Trump, known for his debt reliance, couldn’t cover his own bail.
MSNBC’s legal expert, Lisa Rubin, termed the act “unusual” in a broadcast, citing it as odd for a billionaire to settle a bond in cash as seen in the E. Jean Carroll case rather than using a commercial insurance firm.
Previously in the month, the Associated Press highlighted that Trump’s campaign funds were under pressure, with him allocating a substantial portion to legal fees. Research by the news organization revealed that, from 2021’s outset, Trump’s political groups disbursed over $59.2 million to numerous legal professionals and entities.
Trump’s campaign site solicits donations to purportedly “remove Joe Biden from the White House and RESCUE AMERICA,” with multiple donation tiers provided.
Should he be convicted in the Georgia case, Trump might face a constitutional barrier to run in the 2024 elections. As of August 24, he commands a polling lead of 51.6 percent, per FiveThirtyEight, dominating the Republican primary polls. Florida’s Governor, Ron DeSantis, follows him, capturing a mere 14.8 percent.
