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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsDonald Trump posted a $175 million appeal bond on April 1, 2024, after a New York appellate court reduced the required undertaking. The bond stayed enforcement of the civil judgment while the appeal proceeded, preventing collection efforts against assets during that period. It was security for the judgment—not payment of it, cancellation of it, or a permanent bar on collection.
Why did Trump post a $175 million bond?
A New York trial court entered a $464,576,230.62 civil judgment in February 2024. To pause enforcement while appealing, Trump and the other defendants needed to post security. On March 25, 2024, the Appellate Division, First Department, stayed enforcement on the condition that the defendants post an undertaking of $175 million and perfect their appeals. Trump posted the bond on April 1. The appellate court’s order and history are set out in People v Trump, 2025 NY Slip Op 04756; the Associated Press reported the filing on April 2, 2024.
The bond was underwritten by Knight Specialty Insurance Company. The Associated Press reported that cash and bonds were used as collateral. After concerns about the availability of the funds, the parties agreed on April 22, 2024, that the $175 million would remain in a cash account earning interest without downside risk. Knight Specialty retained exclusive control and agreed not to move the money into other financial instruments, according to the Associated Press account of the agreement.
Did the bond stop New York from seizing assets?
It paused collection of the judgment while the appeal proceeded, subject to the court’s conditions. That meant the state could not pursue enforcement of the money judgment during the stay, including collection efforts against assets to satisfy it. The protection was tied to the appeal; it did not make seizure impossible forever or resolve the underlying dispute.
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Was the bond payment of the judgment?
No. Posting the undertaking did not pay the judgment or erase the defendants’ obligation. It provided security while the appeal was pending. The original judgment was entered for $464,576,230.62, made up of $363,894,816 in disgorgement and $100,681,414.62 in prejudgment interest, as recited in the First Department’s 2025 opinion. The Attorney General’s contemporaneous February 16, 2024 statement described the award as more than $450 million and also outlined corporate restrictions and oversight.
What was the civil fraud case about?
New York Attorney General Letitia James brought the case under Executive Law § 63(12). It was a civil enforcement action, not a criminal prosecution. The case concerned statements of financial condition used in dealings with lenders, insurers, and other counterparties. The trial court entered its judgment following a nonjury trial; its decision and order are available as People v Trump, 2024 NY Slip Op 30493.
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What happened to the judgment on appeal?
The First Department’s August 2025 ruling
On August 21, 2025, the Appellate Division modified the judgment by vacating the disgorgement awards in their entirety and vacating sanctions against the defendants’ counsel. It otherwise affirmed the judgment, including the injunctive relief. The court explained that it regarded the monetary disgorgement award as excessive and not sufficiently tied to proceeds causally connected to the violations. That reasoning was the view of a divided panel; the opinion also contains separate concurring and dissenting views. The holding and opinions appear in the First Department’s decision.
The Court of Appeals procedural order
A New York Court of Appeals motion decision dated February 11, 2026, granted a request to file an amicus brief. That procedural order does not decide the merits of the appeal. The order is available as 2026 NY Slip Op 62167; it should not be treated as the final disposition of the case.
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