DLNews Business:

In a twist that sounds like it’s straight out of a financial thriller, Donald Trump, at the ripe age of 77, has been slapped with a gigantic fine exceeding $364 million. The Empire State has finally played its trump card against the former Commander-in-Chief and real estate mogul.

A judge in New York, not playing around, handed down a verdict that hits Trump's wallet and sidelines him from his favorite game: the real estate hustle in New York. For the next three years, Trump is effectively benched, unable to engage in real estate dealings or play captain in any New York corporate ship.

The plot thickens with Trump's progeny, Eric (40) and Donald Jr. (46), also feeling the sting, each docked $4 million. It's almost Shakespearean how Judge Arthur Engoron's ruling aims straight for the familial empire Trump inherited and turned into both a fortune and a launchpad to political stardom.

Trump's tale of real estate grandeur, from luxury spots across the globe to the Oval Office, hit a snag over allegations of financial alchemy. New York's own Letitia James accused him of conjuring up property values out of thin air, making his penthouse in Trump Tower seemingly expand threefold on paper and inflating his worth on the "Forbes" rich list as if by magic.

The courtroom drama unfolded with Trump as its reluctant, if not sulky, star. His defense against the accusations, which he decried as a "witch hunt," seemed less about proving innocence and more an exercise in theatrics, complete with press briefings and courtroom provocations.

As for whether Trump can cough up the cash for this monumental fine, the jury's out, but skepticism runs high. Trump, ever the showman, vows to appeal, yet the clock is ticking with a 30-day deadline to either pay up or persuade a bank to back his next act.

In the end, this saga serves not just as a cautionary tale of hubris and financial wizardry gone awry but also as a reminder that even titans can be called to account, especially when the stage is set in the courtrooms of New York.