Trump Denounces “Sham” Ruling as New York Judge Orders Him to Pay $355 Million

Former US President Donald Trump has launched a scathing attack on the recent ruling by a judge in New York, condemning it as a “complete and total sham.” The ruling ordered Trump and his companies to pay nearly USD 355 million in a civil fraud case.

In a series of posts on his Truth Social platform following the court’s decision, Trump lashed out at what he described as a biased justice system in New York State and the United States as a whole. He accused the system of being under assault by “partisan, deluded, biased Judges and Prosecutors,” singling out New York Attorney General Letitia James as being “obsessed with ‘Getting Trump’ for years.”

Trump vehemently contested the decision, asserting that there were no victims, damages, or complaints in the case. He claimed that the judgment was based on a “witch hunt” and amounted to nothing more than an attempt to target him politically.

The former president also criticized Judge Arthur Engoron, who presided over the case, accusing him of being politically motivated and asserting that he would be overturned. Trump’s attacks extended beyond Engoron and James, prompting the judge to issue a gag order preventing further remarks about court staff.

The 90-page judgment not only ordered Trump and his companies to pay a hefty fine but also imposed restrictions on their activities. Trump himself has been barred from acting as a company director in New York state for three years, while his sons, Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump, have been fined USD 4 million each and barred from serving as directors for two years. Former Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg was also ordered to pay USD 1 million and barred from New York business for three years.

Trump’s lawyer, Alina Habba, denounced the ruling as a “manifest injustice” and the culmination of a “multi-year, politically fueled witch hunt” designed to undermine Trump.

The trial, which lasted for over two months, saw testimony from 40 witnesses, including Trump himself and top Trump Organization executives. Despite the judgment, Trump and his sons have continued to deny any wrongdoing.