Start Here Trump's $454 Million Fine Tossed on Appeal
5 snips
Aug 22, 2025 
Aaron Katersky, ABC News chief investigative correspondent, and Karen Travers, ABC News White House correspondent, delve into the overturning of a $454 million civil fraud judgment against Trump. They discuss the implications of the court's ruling and the divided opinions among judges. The conversation also touches on President Trump's potential deployment of troops in response to crime in D.C. and examines SpaceX's ongoing challenges with the Starship and its ambitious plans for Mars exploration.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Appeals Panel Removes Huge Penalty
- A New York appeals panel unanimously agreed the half-billion dollar penalty against Trump was excessive under the Eighth Amendment.
- Judges split on liability, producing three separate opinions that preserved parts of the case but undercut the original ruling.
Three-Way Split Undermines Clear Outcome
- The five-judge panel fractured into three camps: reduce penalty, retry the case, or dismiss for lack of authority.
- That split means the case will likely move to New York's highest court, prolonging uncertainty for both sides.
Anticipate A State Court Appeal
- Expect Letitia James to appeal to the New York Court of Appeals to try to reinstate the full judgment.
- Watch that higher court for a ruling that could restore parts or all of the original penalty.