Appeal court throws out massive civil fraud penalty against Donald Trump

A panel of five judges in New York’s mid-level Appellate Division said the verdict, which stood to cost the president more than $515m and rock his property empire, was 'excessive'

Thu, 21 Aug, 2025 - 16:16

Jennifer Peltz and Michael R Sisak, Associated Press

An appeal court has thrown out a massive civil fraud penalty against Donald Trump in a New York state lawsuit accusing him of exaggerating his wealth.

The decision came seven months after the Republican returned to the White House. A panel of five judges in New York’s mid-level Appellate Division said the verdict, which stood to cost the president more than $515m and rock his property empire, was “excessive”.