TEFLON DON

Donald Trump came one appellate court ruling away from losing control of his empire. While some counted him out, his supporters hung on, supplying the votes-and crypto-he needed to save his skin and double his fortune.

- DAN ALEXANDER

What a year for Donald Trump. Twelve months ago, his political prospects were shaky, his financial future nightmarish. He had an estimated $413 million of cash on his balance sheet and a $454 million fraud judgment against him in New York State. While New York Attorney General Letitia James mused about seizing his assets-"I look at 40 Wall Street each and every day"-Trump did what he does best: He fought, he sold, he won. The result: America's 47th president has more than doubled his estimated fortune, from $2.3 billion to $5.1 billion.

Trump learned long ago that delays can be as valuable as victories. Admitting he could not afford to pay off the $454 million in cash, Trump's legal team suggested an appeals court waive or reduce the bond amount. Courts don't always grant such grace, but they did in this case, dropping the requirement to $175 million and staving off an asset seizure.

Then Trump showed why he is the greatest salesman in American history. The day after the courts extended a lifeline, he took his social