Donald J. Trump
Publicly Documented Legal Charges and Controversies
Note: All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Criminal Charges
New York State: Falsifying Business Records
Indicted: March 2023
34 felony counts of falsifying business records in connection with hush money payments to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the 2016 presidential campaign. Found guilty on all 34 counts in May 2024.
Convicted
Federal: Classified Documents Case
Indicted: June 2023
37 counts (later expanded to 40) related to willful retention of national defense information, obstruction of justice, and making false statements regarding classified documents retained at Mar-a-Lago estate after leaving office.
Pending
Federal: January 6th Election Interference
Indicted: August 2023
4 counts including conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights, related to efforts to overturn the 2020 election results.
Pending
Georgia State: Election Interference
Indicted: August 2023
13 counts under Georgia's RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations) statute and other charges related to efforts to overturn Georgia's 2020 election results, including the recorded phone call asking officials to "find 11,780 votes."
Pending
Civil Cases and Judgments
E. Jean Carroll Defamation and Sexual Abuse
Verdict: May 2023 & January 2024
Found liable for sexual abuse and defamation in May 2023, ordered to pay $5 million. In a second trial in January 2024, found liable for additional defamation and ordered to pay $83.3 million in damages.
Civil Liability Found
New York Civil Fraud Case
Judgment: February 2024
Found liable for persistent fraud in inflating asset values on financial statements. Ordered to pay approximately $454 million in penalties and barred from serving as an officer or director of any New York corporation for three years.
Civil Liability Found
Trump Foundation Dissolution
Settlement: 2019
The Trump Foundation was dissolved following a lawsuit by the New York Attorney General alleging the charity was used for personal and political purposes. Trump admitted to misuse and paid $2 million in damages.
Settled
Trump University Fraud Settlement
Settlement: 2016
Settled three lawsuits alleging fraud at Trump University for $25 million, without admitting wrongdoing. Plaintiffs alleged the real estate seminars made false promises.
Settled
Impeachments
First Impeachment: Abuse of Power and Obstruction of Congress
December 2019
Impeached by the House of Representatives for abuse of power and obstruction of Congress related to the Ukraine scandal and withholding military aid. Acquitted by the Senate in February 2020.
Acquitted
Second Impeachment: Incitement of Insurrection
January 2021
Impeached for incitement of insurrection following the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack. Acquitted by the Senate in February 2021, though seven Republicans joined Democrats in voting to convict.
Acquitted
Jeffrey Epstein Connections
Documented Social Relationship
Trump and Jeffrey Epstein were photographed together at social events in the 1990s and early 2000s. In a 2002 New York Magazine article, Trump called Epstein "a terrific guy" and noted he had known him for fifteen years. Trump later stated he had a "falling out" with Epstein and banned him from Mar-a-Lago, though the exact timing is disputed.
Flight Records and Allegations
Flight records show Trump flew on Epstein's private plane at least once in 1997 from Palm Beach to Newark. While some victims in Epstein-related lawsuits have mentioned Trump being present at properties, no criminal charges have been filed against Trump related to Epstein's crimes.
Reference documentation
Other Documented Controversies
Numerous Allegations of Sexual Misconduct
Over 25 women have publicly accused Trump of sexual misconduct ranging from harassment to assault. Trump has denied all allegations.
Documented False and Misleading Statements
The Washington Post's fact-checkers documented over 30,000 false or misleading claims during his presidency. Independent fact-checkers have documented a pattern of spreading misinformation.
Business Bankruptcies
Six Trump businesses have filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, primarily casino and hotel properties, between 1991 and 2009.
Refusal to Release Tax Returns
Broke decades of presidential tradition by refusing to release tax returns. When finally released by congressional Democrats in 2022, they showed he paid minimal federal income taxes in several years.