The case can now be appealed by either side to the state's highest court, the New York Court of Appeals.
"Today's ruling by the New York appeals court is a resounding victory for President Trump and his company," Trump's former personal attorney, Alina Habba, said in response. "The court struck down the outrageous and unlawful $464 million penalty, confirming what we have said from the beginning: the Attorney General’s case was politically motivated, legally baseless, and grossly excessive."
Following a three-month civil trial last year, Judge Arthur Engoron found Trump liable for inflating his net worth to secure better business deals, writing in his decision that Trump and his co-defendants engaged in frauds that "leap off the page and shock the conscience," adding "Their complete lack of contrition and remorse borders on pathological. They are accused only of inflating asset values to make more money. The documents prove this over and over again."
Trump has long claimed that the case was politically motivated, saying "I've been persecuted by someone running for office," referring to NY
Attorney General Letitia James, who brought the case - and is currently under investigation for her own real estate fraud.
In his February decision, Engoron temporarily barred Trump and his family from leading New York-based companies, along with the $454 million fine. With interest, the penalty was closer to half-a-billion dollars.
Trump denied all wrongdoing - arguing that the alleged victims in the case were sophisticated banks who were happy to go into business with the Trump Organization, and profited from the deals. Meanwhile, Trump's lawyers argued that James violated the statue of limitations, misapplied the relevant law, and encouraged the excessive penalty.
/// later
https://x.com/MJTruthUltra/status/1958589800409440384
Our President Posted this after his win against Big Tish… and I can’t stop laughing 🤣🤣🤣😂🤣🤣😂🤣😂
He’s got that “I’m coming for you fat ass” look…
— MJTruthUltra (@MJTruthUltra) August 21, 2025