Trump Appeals Nearly $500 Million Fraud Judgment

Donald Trump's legal team is appealing a nearly half-billion dollar judgment in a New York state appeals court related to allegations of fraudulent business practices. The case centers on claims that Trump, his sons, and top executives inflated their wealth to secure favorable loans and insurance terms, leading to a ruling by Judge Arthur Engoron that imposed a $454 million penalty. Trump's attorney argued that the financial statements were decades old and the case violated the statute of limitations, while the Attorney General's office maintained that the fraud undermined market integrity. The judge's findings, described as shocking, noted Trump's overvaluations of properties like Mar-a-Lago and Trump Tower. Trump's defense insists that the case is politically motivated and that there was no evidence of harm to lenders. If the ruling stands, Trump faces a total liability of $478.3 million with interest accruing.