Fraud Liability Upheld, Monetary Penalty Vacated
What happened
promisedocumented Trump's voter contract promised an ethics program and enforcement of laws without special treatment.
- Democracy in Action / Trump Campaign transcript: Donald J. Trump Delivers Groundbreaking Contract for the American Voter2016-10-17 · Ethics reform proposals and closing pledge
actiondocumented After a bench trial, the court entered civil liability findings and ordered $354,868,768 in principal disgorgement against Trump, plus interest.
- Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County: People v. Donald J. Trump et al., Decision and Order After Trial2024-02-16 · Pages 90-92, relief and disgorgement schedule
- New York State Law Reporting Bureau: People v Trump, 2025 NY Slip Op 047562025-08-21 · Disposition and opinions addressing liability and disgorgement
outcomedocumented The Appellate Division affirmed the fraud liability and much nonmonetary relief but vacated disgorgement as an excessive fine.
- New York State Law Reporting Bureau: People v Trump, 2025 NY Slip Op 047562025-08-21 · Disposition and opinions addressing liability and disgorgement
administration responsereported Trump called the ruling a total victory; reporting noted that liability and other restrictions remained and both sides could appeal.
- Associated Press: What's next after a court cut Donald Trump's $515 million fine to $02025-08-22 · Opening and appellate-status sections
legal statusdocumented New York's Court of Appeals listed People by James v. Trump as pending under APL-2025-00171, including review of Executive Law § 63(12).
- New York State Court of Appeals: January 2026 Monthly Appeals List2026-01-01 · APL-2025-00171, People by James v. Trump
People and organizations
- Donald Trump and defendant entitiesaffected party
- Lenders and insurers addressed in the liability recordaffected party
Assessment
Civil liability and much nonmonetary relief survived the intermediate appeal. The monetary penalty was vacated and is not currently owed, and the state's highest court has not decided the pending cross-appeal.