'Take a civics class': Internet divided as Donald Trump plans to challenge NYC judge's 'fraud' definition in appeal of $355M fine

NEW YORK: Former President Donald Trump's attorney plans to challenge the $355 million verdict from his civil trial last week, contesting Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron's interpretation of "fraud."

Trump’s attorney, Christopher Kise, told Newsweek on Monday, February 19, "The case raises serious legal and constitutional questions regarding ‘fraud’ claims/findings without any actual fraud."

Kise also said that Democrats Engoron and Letitia James, the attorney general of New York, are trying to push Trump out of the state at the expense of the city.

Trump to challenge $355M verdict delivered against him

According to the source, the attorney did not specify a date for filing the appeal, indicating that it will depend on various factors and will be within the 30-day timeframe permitted by the court.

Following his discovery that the Trump Organization had overvalued its assets to obtain loans and deals from banks and insurers in the Empire State, the 74-year-old former cab driver turned judge Engoron ordered Trump to pay the hefty fine.

He also prohibited the former president's sons, Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr, from conducting business in the state for two years.

In addition, the judge's decision barred Trump Organization executives Allen Weisselberg and Jeff McConney from holding corporate officer positions for three years. It also mandated that Donald Trump Jr and Eric Trump pay $4 million apiece.

According to Syracuse University of Law Professor Greg Germain, Trump's appeal must demonstrate that James lacks the authority to penalize him without demonstrating the traditional elements of fraud: scienter (intent to defraud), false statements of fact instead of opinion or trade puffing, reasonable reliance by the victims, materiality, causation, and damages.

He further added, "I think he has a strong argument that when the attorney general seeks to punish for past use, rather than prevent future use, she would have to show all of the traditional elements of fraud."

According to Germain, the New York AG is expected to argue that under state law, she has extensive authority to look into and prosecute cases of alleged civil fraud without having to establish the existence of all six components.

Internet divides as Donald Trump plans to challenge verdict

People on the internet had mixed reactions to the decision made by former president Donald Trump to challenge the verdict of the court.

A user posted on X, "I'm no big Trump fan but $355,000,000 bananas ..like seriously!!! Sounds like the judicial system is really fraudulous to me," whereas another added, "He should because no one, in this case, was a victim of being defrauded."

One user also said, "He'll win. Even Stormy ended up paying him in the end," while another mentioned, "First he has to pay! Take a civics class."

A person said, "He cheated the system! Every taxpayer was a victim. Trump has his own definition of the word fraud. He thinks when someone can gain the system, he's smart in the eyes of Donald demon Trump."