By Mark Gray
2:30am PST, Feb 17, 2024
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The judge in Donald Trump's civil fraud trial finally handed down his decision on Feb. 16, ordering the former president and his Trump Organization to pay damages in excess of $364 million. Trump was also barred from running any New York companies for three years.
Trump had testified under oath in the trial in New York City in November 2023 — and it was nothing short of contentious. The former POTUS "boasted" about "piles of cash, aimed scathing political attacks and spouted uniquely illogical logic" while on the stand. At one point, the judge asked the GOP frontrunner's lawyers if they could or would "control" him. They could not.
Throughout the proceedings, the Republican politician and businessman answered questions from the stand but he also took time to verbally attack New York Attorney General Letitia James for filing the fraud lawsuit against him and his adult sons. He also attacked Judge Arthur Engoron, fuming, "He called me a fraud and he didn't know anything about me." The judge replied sarcastically, "Read my opinion again, or for the first time, perhaps." An annoyed Trump shot back, "I think it's fraudulent, the decision. The fraud is on the court, not on me."
According to CNN, Trump "obstructed, exaggerated, spouted insults, brassily trampled courtroom protocol and substituted partisan narratives for the yes and no answers that the judge demanded. Yet Trump also expertly used the outraged stream of consciousness and linguistic dexterity that turns his interrogators in the law, or the media, in knots."
Judge Engoron had previously ruled in September 2023 that Trump and sons Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump were liable for fraud for inflating the value of their family businesses in order to get better deals from banks and insurers. The judge also canceled the business certifications of the Trump entities that are defendants in the case including the Trump Organization. Now, he wants them to pay up.
Keep reading to see how Trump, politicians, stars and more reacted during the trial and after a decision was handed down…
MORE: Follow Wonderwall on MSN for more fun celebrity & entertainment photo galleries and content
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After Judge Arthur Engoron delivered his damages ruling, Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform to respond. He shared multiple posts:
"The Justice System in New York State, and America as a whole, is under assault by partisan, deluded, biased Judges and Prosecutors. Racist, Corrupt A.G. Tish James has been obsessed with 'Getting Trump' for years, and used Crooked New York State Judge Engoron to get an illegal, unAmerican judgment against me, my family, and my tremendous business. I helped New York City during its worst of times, and now, while it is overrun with Violent Biden Migrant Crime, the Radicals are doing all they can to kick me out…..
"Page 2: This 'decision' is a Complete and Total SHAM. There were No Victims, No Damages, No Complaints. Only satisfied Banks and Insurance Companies (which made a ton of money), GREAT Financial Statements, that didn't even include the most valuable Asset – The TRUMP Brand, IRONCLAD Disclaimers (Buyer Beware, and Do your Own Due Diligence), and amazing Properties all over the World. All the other side had was a ridiculous $18 million valuation of magnificent Mar-a-Lago, an unConstitutional Gag Order, a Consumer Fraud Statute never before used for this purpose, No Jury allowed, and a refusal to send this disgusting charade to the Commercial Division, where it would have been put to a deserving end…
"Page 3: This 'case' is OVER ever since the Appellate Division ended it on Statute of Limitations, also letting my daughter Ivanka out of this Witch Hunt. The Democrat Club-controlled Judge Engoron has already been reversed four times on this case, a shameful record, and he will be reversed again. We cannot let injustice stand, and will fight Crooked Joe Biden's weaponized persecution at every step. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!"
He wasn't done yet. He also shared this message on Feb. 16 after the ruling was handed down.
"A Crooked New York State Judge, working with a totally Corrupt Attorney General who ran on the basis of 'I will get Trump,' before knowing anything about me or my company, has just fined me $355 Million based on nothing other than having built a GREAT COMPANY. ELECTION INTERFERENCE. WITCH HUNT…"
MORE: Judge finds Trump liable for fraud: Stars react
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"We've reached the point where your political beliefs combined with what venue your case is heard are the primary determinants of the outcome; not the facts of the case! It's truly sad what's happened to our country and I hope others see it before it's too late to correct course!" —Donald Trump Jr. on X after Judge Arthur Engoron delivered his damages ruling
MORE: Stars react to Trump's mug shot and claim he weighs 215 pounds
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"In the ruling, Engoron wrote that Trump and the other defendants in the case 'are incapable of admitting the error of their ways.' 'Their complete lack of contrition and remorse borders on pathological,' Engoron wrote. 'Instead, they adopt a 'See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil' posture that the evidence belies.'" —tennis great Andy Roddick on X after Judge Arthur Engoron delivered his damages ruling
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"In a massive victory, we won our case against Donald Trump for engaging in years of incredible financial fraud to enrich himself. Trump, Donald Trump, Jr., Eric Trump, and his former executives must pay over $450 million in disgorgement and interest." —Attorney General of New York Letitia James on X after Judge Arthur Engoron delivered his damages ruling
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"I don't understand why trump doesn't ask his bff for the money. #PutinsPuppet" —Ellen Barkin on X after Judge Arthur Engoron delivered his damages ruling
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"They changing the name of Trump Tower to Chump Tower?" —Anthony Scaramucci on X after Judge Arthur Engoron delivered his damages ruling
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"We didn't need for a Court to rule that Donald Trump is a Fraud. We already knew that." —Rob Reiner on X after Judge Arthur Engoron delivered his damages ruling
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"Of course the Trump family got screwed in the NY court by Judge Engoron, the partisan Democrat political hack. Trump never had a chance. It's another example of a politicized court butchering the rule of law, suffocating justice, and turning America into a fascist country." —Rod Blagojevich after Judge Arthur Engoron delivered his damages ruling
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"Democrat New York Judge Engoron just ordered President Trump to pay $364M to NY state in the case brought by AG Letitia James. This is outrageous! This case had zero victims. The banks Trump 'defrauded' provided testimony in defense of Trump Hotels. The entire case is built off the ABSURD claim that President Trump's first-class Mar-a-Lago, situated on some of the most expensive property in the country and the world, is worth only $18M. Mar-a-Lago itself is probably worth more than $364M! This sham persecution is Letitia James fulfilling her campaign promise to go after Trump — a nasty woman! These people belong in jail for the abuse of power they are wielding against President Trump and his family. We must end this weaponization of our justice system!" —Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene on X after Judge Arthur Engoron delivered his damages ruling
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"This New York judgement against Trump is pure insanity. They're terrified of him winning again but they're only making it more and more inevitable through this disgusting lawfare." —Rep. Lauren Boebert on X after Judge Arthur Engoron delivered his damages ruling
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"Donald Trump: Professional Victim." —Stephen King
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"It's hysterical yet tragic that this is what you spend your time focusing on… You're a clown," Dean Cain wrote to New York Attorney General Letitia James. "This is a political persecution like no other ever seen in the United States. History will judge your shameful behavior harshly."
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"To be clear TRUMP HAS ALREADY LOST THIS CASE. He has already been found liable for fraud. These theatrics are just to enhance his victim narrative to the MAGA faithful." —Jon Cryer
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"Trump's father gave him at least $413 million. But due to many bad business decisions, Trump was in debt when offered reality TV show" –Mia Farrow
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"Looks just terrific" –John Cusack referring to a photo of Donald Trump in court
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"Trump has taken the stand to testify in the civil fraud trial in NY. This is historic. And he's already admitting to some interesting things. Lisa Rubin is there and live tweeting about it. This caught my eye…. So, you admit that you reviewed these but didn't care if they were complete bulls*** because of a disclaimer clause? That's still fraud, Donald." —George Takei
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"Right to confront your accusers? First amendment? Judge Engoron is so corrupt and unethical that he virtually guarantees a reversal of whatever decision comes out of this kangaroo court." —Jeanine Pirro
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"When your best defense for committing massive fraud is: I had no idea what I was signing because I'm an incompetent idiot, you're in big trouble." –Rob Reiner
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"Judge Engoron is truly a cruel man — he knows that every single witness testified to the fact that I had absolutely NOTHING to do with this case (as INSANE as the case truly is). No other judge would ever have allowed my name to be dragged through the mud. This is not justice in America — this is political vengeance by a judge out to get my father, the frontrunner for President of the United States." —Eric Trump after Judge Arthur Engoron delivered his damages ruling
