Trump lawyers say he can't get $464M bond to file appeal in civil case

Lawyers for former President Donald Trump say he can't get the $464 million bond he needs to be able to appeal the civil case against him, and have petitioned the appeals court saying a bond that large is a "practical impossibility."

The deadline to post the bond is next week if he wants to prevent New York Attorney General Letitia James from being able to come after him to collect the fine while he appeals.

"Defendants’ ongoing diligent efforts have proven that a bond in the judgment’s full amount is 'a practical impossibility,'" the filing said. "These diligent efforts have included approaching about 30 surety companies through 4 separate brokers."

Among the problems Trump is having: the bond companies won't accept real estate as collateral, only "cash or cash equivalents," and the companies require 120% to secure the bond, which is then $557 million. In addition, the companies charge a 2% fee per year, which is $18 million that Trump can't get back even if he wins the appeal.

The filing pointed out that Trump does have enough real estate to pay off the fine if the appeal fails, and that there is no way for him to "surreptitiously" sell or get rid of the assets while the appeal continues.

James has said she will seize assets like Trump Tower if he doesn't post the bond or pay the fine.