Fraud Hub: Donald J. Trump
Scope:
This hub summarises major fraud allegations, civil findings, regulatory actions, and significant investigative outcomes involving Donald J. Trump, the Trump Organization, affiliated foundations, charitable entities, real-estate partnerships, and political fundraising operations. Each entry provides a concise overview of the core issues, outcomes, and current status. Dedicated pages for each case file offer detailed timelines, filings, and verified source documentation.
Last updated: 21 November 2025 (Europe/London)
New York Civil Business Fraud
Years: 2019–2025
Core issue: Civil fraud involving inflated property valuations used to secure loans and insurance advantages.
Outcome: An appeals court upheld the underlying fraud finding. The court voided an approximately $500m penalty as disproportionate but confirmed that Trump and his companies engaged in persistent fraud. Some operational restrictions remain in place.
Status: Final judgment on appeal; ongoing monitoring of compliance and enforcement.
Trump Organization Tax Fraud Case
Years: 2005–2024
Core issue: Payroll and perks tax evasion scheme centred on unreported benefits and off-books compensation.
Outcome: Two Trump Organization entities were convicted in New York. Former CFO Allen Weisselberg served a custodial sentence and later entered a perjury plea in 2024 concerning testimony related to Trump’s finances.
Status: Conviction final.
Trump University
Years: 2005–2018
Core issue: Students alleged they were misled about mentorship access, success rates, and the value of high-priced seminar programmes.
Outcome: A $25m settlement was approved in 2018 without an admission of wrongdoing.
Status: Closed.
Trump Foundation
Years: 2016–2019
Core issue: Misuse of charitable funds for political purposes, promotional use, and personal benefit.
Outcome: New York authorities dissolved the foundation. Trump agreed to $2m in restitution, and compliance conditions were imposed on his future charitable activity.
Status: Closed.
“We Build the Wall” Fundraising Fraud
Years: 2018–2023
Core issue: Donor funds raised for a privately constructed border wall were misappropriated for personal expenses and undisclosed compensation.
Outcome: Key organisers Brian Kolfage and Andrew Badolato were convicted in the federal case. Steve Bannon received a presidential pardon for the federal charges. New York’s state-level prosecution remains pending. Trump publicly promoted the project but was not charged.
Status: Mixed; state case ongoing.
Inaugural Committee Misuse of Funds
Years: 2017–2022
Core issue: Overspending, overbilling, and improper payments linked to Trump International Hotel in Washington, D.C.
Outcome: The D.C. Attorney General secured a $750k settlement directed to charity; no admission of liability was required.
Status: Settled and closed.
Election Fundraising Fraud Allegations
Years: 2020–2024
Core issue: Fundraising solicitations referencing an “Official Election Defense Fund” that, according to investigators, did not exist as an actual segregated account.
Outcome: Investigated by the January 6 Committee and scrutinised by the Department of Justice. No court filing to date.
Status: Allegations under review.
Insurance and Bank Fraud Allegations
Years: 2010–2025
Core issue: Broader allegations of misstating valuations to insurers and lenders, separate from the New York civil fraud case.
Outcome: Most claims were incorporated into the New York Attorney General’s civil action and not pursued as independent prosecutions.
Status: Integrated into other proceedings.
Truth Social SPAC (DWAC) Misstatements
Years: 2021–2024
Core issue: SEC determined that Digital World Acquisition Corp. failed to comply with antifraud disclosure rules during its merger with the Trump-affiliated media venture.
Outcome: A cease-and-desist order and a conditional $18m penalty were imposed on the SPAC, not on Trump personally.
Status: Resolved through regulatory action.
1990s Family Tax Schemes
Years: 1992–2000s
Core issue: Reporting alleged that the Trump family used undervalued asset transfers and shell entities to avoid estate and gift taxes.
Outcome: New York tax authorities reviewed the findings. No criminal or civil charges followed.
Status: Allegations only.
Trump SoHo / Condo Sales Misrepresentation
Years: 2008–2011
Core issue: Buyers alleged they were told occupancy and sales rates were materially higher than they actually were.
Outcome: Civil settlement that refunded deposits; no admission of wrongdoing.
Status: Closed.
Trump Tower Moscow / Investor Misrepresentation
Years: 2015–2019
Core issue: Ongoing business negotiations for a Trump Tower Moscow project were not disclosed publicly, raising questions about investor transparency during the 2016 campaign.
Outcome: Documented extensively in the Mueller Report. No fraud charges filed.
Status: Allegations recorded by investigators.
Atlantic City Casino Financial Manipulation
Years: 1990–1992
Core issue: SEC scrutiny focused on misleading statements and financial disclosures in casino bond offerings.
Outcome: Historical settlement reported to include a $65k penalty, without admission of wrongdoing.
Status: Closed.
Charitable and Political PAC Commingling
Years: 2021–2025
Core issue: Media investigations and watchdog reports have raised concerns that political committees may have used donor funds to cover legal bills or other costs that could constitute personal benefit.
Outcome: Ongoing FEC review and journalistic scrutiny; no formal enforcement action confirmed.
Status: Active investigations.
Editorial Standards
This hub applies a neutral, legally precise standard. Each linked case file includes:
A chronology of filings, orders, and investigative steps
Clear differentiation between allegations, established findings, and settlements
Verified source documentation
Plain-language explanations of legal terminology
Terms such as fraud, misrepresentation, and embezzlement are used only when supported by court records, regulatory findings, or formal allegations.