Court Overturns $515 Million Penalty Against Trump, Citing Unconstitutional Fine

A New York appellate court has overturned a $515 million civil fraud penalty against former President Donald Trump, ruling the fine unconstitutional. The decision, made by a split panel of judges, stated that the penalty was excessive and violated the Eighth Amendment's protection against excessive fines. The case, brought by New York Attorney General Letitia James, accused Trump of inflating his personal wealth to secure more favorable loan terms. Despite no victims and all parties involved profiting, James sought to use the case as a political tool to hinder Trump's 2024 campaign. Trump appealed the ruling after posting a $175 million bond in 2024. The court's decision highlighted the lack of victims and the political nature of the case. Judge David Friedman argued that James lacked the authority to bring the case, while others questioned the penalty's calculation and fairness. Bipartisan criticism emerged, with figures like Andrew Cuomo and Jonah Goldberg denouncing the case as lawfare. The court's ruling underscores the excessive nature of the penalty and its lack of justification, emphasizing that such actions should not be used to target political opponents.

Published: 8/21/2025