As a prominent businessman, reality TV star, and former President of the United States, Donald Trump has been no stranger to legal battles. Throughout his career, Trump has been sued numerous times on a variety of issues, ranging from fraud and labor law violations to discrimination and constitutional challenges. Here are 15 notable times Donald Trump has been sued.
1. Trump University Lawsuit
The Trump University lawsuit involved allegations of fraud and deceptive practices against Donald Trump’s real estate training program, Trump University. Between 2005 and 2010, Trump University marketed itself as a way for students to learn Trump’s real estate strategies and achieve financial success. However, multiple former students filed lawsuits claiming that they were misled by false promises and high-pressure sales tactics, and that the program did not deliver on its promises.
In 2016, Trump agreed to settle the lawsuits for $25 million, without admitting any wrongdoing, shortly before he assumed office as President of the United States. The settlement provided partial restitution to the students who had enrolled in Trump University, but it did not include an admission of guilt from Trump.
2. Trump Taj Mahal Casino Lawsuit
The Trump Taj Mahal Casino lawsuit involved allegations of violations of anti-money laundering regulations against Donald Trump’s former Atlantic City casino, Trump Taj Mahal. In 2015, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury fined the casino $10 million for willful and repeated violations of the Bank Secrecy Act, which requires financial institutions to report suspicious transactions and prevent money laundering.
FinCEN alleged that Trump Taj Mahal failed to implement adequate anti-money laundering controls, allowing wealthy gamblers to engage in suspicious transactions involving large sums of cash. Trump Taj Mahal ultimately settled the lawsuit with FinCEN, agreeing to pay the $10 million fine and implement enhanced anti-money laundering measures. However, the casino closed its doors in 2016 due to financial difficulties unrelated to the lawsuit.
3. Trump Campaign Rally Lawsuits
There have been multiple lawsuits filed against Donald Trump’s campaign rallies, alleging various legal violations. For example, during Trump’s presidential campaign in 2016, a lawsuit was filed against him and his campaign for incitement to violence, claiming that Trump encouraged his supporters to use violence against protesters at his rallies.
In another lawsuit, Trump’s campaign was accused of violating the First Amendment rights of protesters by allegedly removing or ejecting individuals from campaign rallies based on their political beliefs. Additionally, there have been lawsuits filed against Trump’s campaign for issues related to event planning and logistics, such as failing to pay bills for rally venues or breaching contracts with vendors. The outcomes of these lawsuits have varied, with some resulting in settlements or dismissals, and others still ongoing in the legal process.
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4. Trump Foundation Lawsuit
The Trump Foundation lawsuit involved allegations of misuse of charitable funds against the Donald J. Trump Foundation, a charitable organization founded by Donald Trump in 1987. In 2018, the New York State Attorney General filed a lawsuit against the foundation, alleging that Trump and his three eldest children, who were also officers of the foundation, engaged in a pattern of illegal conduct that included using the foundation’s funds for personal and political purposes, self-dealing, and failing to follow basic fiduciary duties.
The lawsuit sought to dissolve the foundation, and recover $2.8 million in restitution and impose penalties. In December 2019, the Trump Foundation agreed to dissolve under judicial supervision, and the remaining assets were directed to be distributed to legitimate charitable organizations. Trump also agreed to pay $2 million in damages to various nonprofit organizations as part of the settlement.
5. Trump Hotels Lawsuit
There have been multiple lawsuits involving Trump hotels, which are part of Donald Trump’s real estate empire. One notable lawsuit involved allegations of unfair competition and violations of the Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution. In this lawsuit, filed by various state attorneys general and private plaintiffs, it was alleged that Trump, as President, was benefiting financially from foreign and domestic governments by renting hotel rooms and event spaces at his properties, creating a conflict of interest and violating the Constitution’s prohibition against receiving foreign gifts or payments without the consent of Congress.
The lawsuit sought to force Trump to divest from his hotel properties or cease receiving payments from foreign and domestic governments. However, in 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court dismissed the case on procedural grounds, without reaching a decision on the merits. Other lawsuits involving Trump hotels have included issues related to labor law violations, contract disputes, and allegations of discrimination. The outcomes of these lawsuits have varied, with some resulting in settlements, dismissals, or ongoing legal proceedings.
6. Trump Model Agency Lawsuit
The Trump Model Management lawsuit involved allegations of labor law violations against Donald Trump’s modeling agency, Trump Model Management. In 2017, a lawsuit was filed against the agency by several former models who claimed that they were subjected to unfair treatment and exploitation, including wage theft, working without proper visas, and being coerced into living in crowded and unsanitary conditions.
The lawsuit alleged that Trump Model Management engaged in a pattern of exploiting young, vulnerable models for financial gain, and that the agency violated federal and state labor laws. The lawsuit was eventually settled out of court for an undisclosed amount, and details of the resolution were not publicly disclosed. Trump Model Management, which had been in operation for nearly two decades, closed its doors in 2017, citing a “natural end” to its business cycle.
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7. Trump Network Lawsuit
The Trump Network lawsuit involved allegations of false and misleading business practices against a multi-level marketing (MLM) company called The Trump Network, which was launched by Donald Trump in 2009. The company marketed and sold nutritional supplements and health products through a multi-level marketing business model, where individuals could earn commissions by recruiting others to join the business and purchase products.
In 2010, a class-action lawsuit was filed against The Trump Network, alleging that the company made false and misleading statements about its products and business opportunity, including inflated earnings claims, misleading health claims, and deceptive marketing practices. The lawsuit claimed that The Trump Network engaged in fraudulent and unfair business practices, violating state and federal laws. In 2012, The Trump Network settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed amount, without admitting any wrongdoing. The company ceased operations shortly after the settlement, and the MLM business was dissolved.
8. Trump Steaks Lawsuit
The Trump Steaks lawsuit involved allegations of breach of contract and fraud related to Donald Trump’s defunct steak company, Trump Steaks. In 2007, Trump announced the launch of Trump Steaks as part of his business empire, but the venture failed and was discontinued shortly after.
In 2010, a businessman named J. Patrick Collins sued Trump, claiming that he had invested $260,000 in Trump Steaks for a distribution deal that never materialized, and that Trump had made false promises about the quality and availability of the steaks. The lawsuit was eventually settled out of court for an undisclosed amount, and details of the resolution were not publicly disclosed.
9. Trump Golf Course Lawsuits
There have been multiple lawsuits involving Donald Trump’s golf courses, which are part of his extensive real estate portfolio. Some of these lawsuits have involved issues such as environmental concerns, property disputes, and alleged violations of labor and employment laws.
Overall, the lawsuits involving Trump’s golf courses have raised a range of legal and regulatory issues, with implications for environmental, labor, employment, and property laws, among others. The outcomes of these lawsuits have varied, with some resulting in settlements, dismissals, or ongoing legal proceedings.
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10. Trump Tower Lawsuits
There have been several lawsuits involving Trump Tower in New York City. Some of these lawsuits have involved issues such as property disputes, construction defects, and alleged violations of tenant rights.
The outcomes of these lawsuits have varied, with some resulting in settlements, dismissals, or ongoing legal proceedings. The specific details and outcomes of these lawsuits would depend on the individual cases and the specific legal issues involved.
11. Trump Casino Bankruptcy Lawsuits
Trump’s casino business has faced several lawsuits related to bankruptcy and financial issues. Trump has been involved in multiple casino bankruptcies, including Trump Taj Mahal in 1991, Trump Plaza in 1992, and Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts in 2004. These bankruptcies led to legal disputes and lawsuits involving creditors, investors, and other stakeholders.
It’s worth noting that bankruptcy is a legal process used by individuals or businesses to reorganize or discharge their debts. In Trump’s casino bankruptcies, the casinos sought protection under Chapter 11 bankruptcy, which allows for the reorganization of debts while the business continues to operate. However, the legal disputes and lawsuits that have arisen from these bankruptcies have added to the financial and legal challenges faced by Trump’s casino business.
12. Trump’s Travel Ban Lawsuits
Multiple lawsuits were filed against the travel ban by various states, organizations, and individuals, alleging that it violated the U.S. Constitution’s First Amendment (freedom of religion), Fifth Amendment (due process), and other constitutional rights. The lawsuits argued that the travel ban unfairly targeted individuals based on their religion and national origin, and that it exceeded the President’s authority under immigration laws.
While the travel ban lawsuits were a highly contentious legal issue, the outcome ultimately allowed the Trump administration to implement and enforce the travel restrictions against individuals from certain countries. However, the travel ban remains a controversial and divisive policy, with ongoing debates and discussions about its constitutionality and impact on affected individuals and communities.
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13. Trump’s Twitter Block Lawsuits
Trump was sued for allegedly violating the First Amendment by blocking users on his Twitter account based on their political views, resulting in court rulings that blocking users is unconstitutional and requiring him to unblock them. Trump frequently used Twitter to communicate with the public and make policy announcements, but he also blocked individuals who criticized or disagreed with him on the platform.
In 2018, a federal court ruled that Trump’s blocking of users on Twitter was unconstitutional, as it amounted to viewpoint discrimination and violated the plaintiffs’ free speech rights. The court ordered Trump to unblock the users, and Trump’s administration subsequently unblocked the accounts and settled the lawsuit.
However, Trump appealed the decision, and in 2019, a federal appeals court ruled that while Trump’s Twitter account was a public forum, the act of blocking users did not violate the First Amendment. The court overturned the previous ruling, stating that Twitter was a personal account rather than a government account, and Trump’s actions were not under government control.
14. Stromy Daniel’s Lawsuits
Stormy Daniels, an adult film actress, filed a lawsuit against former President Donald Trump in March 2018. The lawsuit sought to invalidate a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that Daniels had signed in 2016, which prevented her from discussing an alleged affair she had with Trump a decade earlier.
In addition to the lawsuit seeking to invalidate the non-disclosure agreement (NDA) surrounding her alleged affair with former President Donald Trump, Stormy Daniels also filed a defamation lawsuit against Trump in April 2018. This lawsuit came about after Trump tweeted that Daniels was lying about her account of a man who allegedly threatened her in 2011 to keep quiet about the affair.
Daniels argued in her lawsuit that Trump’s statement was not only false and defamatory, but also suggested that she was involved in a criminal conspiracy to deceive the public. She sought damages in excess of $75,000.
The defamation lawsuit was put on hold for a period of time while the lawsuit seeking to invalidate the NDA proceeded. However, in October 2018, a federal judge dismissed the defamation lawsuit, ruling that Trump’s tweet was a “hyperbolic statement” and did not amount to defamation.
In December 2018, a federal judge ruled that the NDA was indeed invalid, as Trump had never signed it. The ruling paved the way for Daniels to speak freely about her alleged affair with Trump.
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