The judge presiding over New York’s civil fraud lawsuit against Donald Trump has affirmed a $454 million judgment against the former president, which includes $99 million in interest, following last week’s $355 million verdict.
Justice Arthur Engoron’s formalized judgment, posted to the court docket in Manhattan, establishes damages at $454 million and initiates a 30-day window for Trump to appeal the decision.
New York Attorney General Letitia James secured the trial victory by presenting evidence that Trump, along with his sons and company, exaggerated his assets over several years to secure favorable loan terms, amounting to billions of dollars in inflation.
Interest on Trump’s debt accumulates at a rate of nearly $112,000 per day, regardless of ongoing appeals, according to the attorney general’s office.
Including the recent $83.3 million defamation judgment from E. Jean Carroll’s trial, Trump’s total court liabilities reach around $540 million, posing financial challenges amid his White House reelection bid and multiple pending criminal cases.
Christopher Kise, Trump’s attorney, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Justice Engoron’s judgment.
Interest on Trump’s liabilities began accruing in 2019 during the state’s investigation. The $454 million damages stem from the benefits Trump gained on four real estate loans through wealth inflation, as well as profits from property sales in Washington and New York. New York Attorney General Letitia James argued that Trump’s ability to purchase these properties was facilitated by fraudulently bolstering his bank account.
The breakdown of damages and interest for Trump includes:
- Return of saved interest on four loans: $168 million (damages) and $75.3 million (interest)
- Return of profit from sale of Old Post Office: $12.8 million (damages) and $20.4 million (interest)
- Return of profit from sale of Ferry Point: $60 million (damages) and $3.6 million (interest)
Interest calculations also apply to Trump’s sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr., as well as former Trump Organization CFO Allen Weisselberg, who were implicated in the fraud. Their combined damages amount to approximately $10.4 million.
The damages awarded are close to the $370 million sought by the attorney general, who additionally requested interest repayment on illicit profits. The final judgment exceeds the initial $250 million sought in the original complaint, reflecting additional evidence presented during the trial.
Justice Engoron’s verdict last week did not include the lifetime ban that Attorney General Letitia James had requested, which would have prevented Trump from conducting business in New York. However, the imposition of a three-year ban on running a business in the state still represents a significant symbolic setback for the former president. This decision is noteworthy considering Trump’s extensive business history and the prominence of his career in New York City.