Can Barron Trump Save Donald's Businesses?

The fate of former President Donald Trump's New York businesses is still in limbo, and some are wondering whether his family could come to the rescue and save the real estate empire he built decades ago.

The civil trial accusing Donald Trump, his two eldest sons and the Trump Organization of financial fraud remains ongoing, putting the Trump family at risk of losing their ability to conduct business in the Empire State. But while Donald, Donald Jr. and Eric could all be barred from owning business in New York, several Trumps are not co-defendants in the case, meaning they would still be able to run a business in the state.

Those Trumps include the former president's daughters Ivanka—who was initially named in the case but later removed—and Tiffany, as well as his wife Melania and the son he shares with the former first lady, Barron. Although Barron's name has largely remained outside conversations related to the Trump Organization, the 17-year-old is months away from turning 18.

Could Barron, as a new adult, be the one to help his father retain his legacy?

"In short, no," former federal prosecutor Michael McAuliffe told Newsweek.

He explained that it is nearly impossible for defendants to hide or transfer large assets from the court. Because the former president is embroiled in several civil and criminal cases, any financial moves would be under particular scrutiny. The judge in the New York case has already taken the precautionary step of blocking Donald from transferring any assets while the trial is underway.

"As for the Trump businesses, an 18-year-old isn't a realistic candidate to take on true executive duties," McAuliffe said.

Melania Trump had also been floated as a solution to her husband's predicament, but the first lady's former chief of staff, Stephanie Grisham, previously told Newsweek that agreement would come with its own demands since Melania wouldn't be interested in helping Donald without guarantees of "some major control or power."

Either way, McAuliffe said the transfer of any Trump business, no matter who the recipient or buyer may be, would be highly unlikely given Donald's legal turmoil.

"While the Trump family members and their businesses are at great risk, the chance of immediate or short-term closure and sale is very low," McAuliffe said.

Instead, he said should the Trump Organization "receive the equivalent of the business death penalty in the state of New York," the former president would be more likely to pursue recourse by appealing the judge's decision.

"Trump will seek a stay of any and all the remedies imposed by the trial court during those appeals—which could last years," he said. "The appellate court already stayed a portion of the New York trial judge's partial summary judgment order, the part addressing the breakup of the companies and sale of assets."

The former president's attorneys already filed for a mistrial on Wednesday, accusing the judge of being biased in a new court filing.

"In this case the evidence of apparent and actual bias is tangible and overwhelming," Trump's lawyers said in the motion. "Such evidence, coupled with an unprecedented departure from standard judicial procedure, has tainted these proceedings and a mistrial is warranted."

New York Attorney General Letitia James has poured cold water on those efforts, issuing a statement in response that said the former president "can keep trying to distract from his fraud, but the truth always comes out."