Trump's New York civil fraud case and the half-billion-dollar penalty

In December 2021 James sought Trump's testimony in her investigation of his business, and Trump sued her to stop it, calling it politically motivated.^[5][6][7] In early 2022 a judge ruled that he had to testify.^[8] Trump was held in contempt and fined $10,000 a day for failing to turn over documents, and he paid $110,000 to end it.^[9][10] He lost his appeal over testifying,^[11] and he sat for questioning that August.^[12] In September James sued.^[1]

Trump answered questions for seven hours in April 2023,^[13] and the trial began that October.^[14] The judge imposed a gag order on him and fined him twice for violating it,^[15][16][17] and his sons Donald Jr. and Eric and his daughter Ivanka testified.^[18][19] Trump lashed out at the judge and the attorney general from the witness stand.^[20] In February 2024 the judge ruled against him,^[2][21] and his former chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg, later pleaded guilty to perjury over his testimony.^[22]

Trump said he could not secure a bond of about $464 million,^[23] and an appeals court cut it to $175 million, which he posted in April 2024.^[24][25] He appealed the judgment as excessive,^[26] the appeals court heard arguments in September,^[27] and in August 2025 it threw out the penalty.^[4]