This is where Trump trumps all other presidents...
Major Confirmed Scandals and
Settlements Involving Donald Trump (2000–2025)
This
report outlines the major, confirmed scandals and legal settlements involving
Donald Trump during the years 2000 to 2025. It is structured chronologically
and by type (personal, business, or presidential actions).
2000–2016: Business and Personal Scandals
Trump University Fraud Lawsuit Settlement (2016)
- Summary: Trump University, active from
2005–2010, was accused of defrauding students. Trump ultimately agreed to
settle lawsuits in November 2016 with a $25 million payment to former
students. He did not admit wrongdoing as part of the settlement12.
Empire State Building Disputes (2002–2003)
- Summary: Trump and rival property
owner Leona Helmsley were involved in countersuits over the ownership and
operation of the Empire State Building, ultimately resolved by selling his
interests and settling disputes out of court3.
German Trump Tower Litigation (2000–2003)
- Summary: Trump attempted to create
“Trump Tower Europe” in Germany. The effort culminated in lawsuits and the
dissolution of the involved company3.
Trump Baja Resort Lawsuit (2009–2013)
- Summary: Trump was sued by investors
in a failed Mexican resort project, eventually settling for an undisclosed
amount after being accused of misrepresenting his involvement3.
Sexual Misconduct Allegations & Decisions
E. Jean Carroll Sexual Abuse and Defamation Case (2023)
- Summary: Author E. Jean Carroll
accused Trump of rape and defamation. A jury found Trump liable for sexual
abuse and defaming Carroll, awarding her more than $80 million in damages.
A judge later stated her claim of rape was "substantially true"45.
Other Sexual Misconduct Allegations
- Summary: Over 25 women have accused
Trump of sexual misconduct, including sexual assault and harassment. Many
cases were denied by Trump, and some were settled out of court647.
2017–2021: Presidential and Business Scandals
Russia Election Interference Investigation (2017–2019)
- Summary: Special Counsel Robert
Mueller’s probe investigated Russian interference in the 2016 presidential
election and potential links to the Trump campaign. The Mueller Report did
not establish criminal conspiracy but did not exonerate Trump on
obstruction of justice89.
Ukraine Scandal & First Impeachment (2019)
- Summary: Trump was impeached for abuse
of power and obstruction of Congress after soliciting Ukraine to
investigate a political rival. He was acquitted by the Senate10119.
Capitol Riot & Second Impeachment (2021)
- Summary: Trump was impeached a second
time for incitement of insurrection after the 2021 Capitol riot. He was
acquitted by the Senate511.
Trump Organization Criminal Conviction (2022)
- Summary: The Trump Organization was
convicted on 17 criminal counts related to tax fraud and falsifying
business records, resulting in a $1.6 million fine53.
Hatch Act and Emoluments Clause Violations
- Summary: Multiple senior Trump aides
were found to have violated the Hatch Act. Trump was sued for violations
of the Constitution’s Emoluments Clause due to receiving payments from
foreign and domestic governments via his businesses1213.
2022–2024: Legal Convictions and Settlements
Stormy Daniels “Hush Money” Case (2024)
- Summary: Trump was found guilty on 34
felony counts of falsifying business records to cover up a $130,000
hush-money payment to adult film actress Stormy Daniels before the 2016
election. He received an "unconditional discharge" rather than
jail time but retains a felony conviction145.
Handling of Classified Documents (2022–2024)
- Summary: Trump was charged with 37
federal counts over mishandling classified documents post-presidency.
After his 2024 election win, the federal case was dropped following
Justice Department policy not to prosecute sitting presidents515.
Georgia Election Interference Case (2023–2024)
- Summary: Trump was charged with 13
felonies, including racketeering and conspiracy, for allegedly attempting
to overturn Georgia's 2020 election result. The case was dropped after his
re-election5.
$364 Million Civil Fraud Verdict (2024)
- Summary: Trump and his company were
found civilly liable for fraud and overvaluation of assets. He was fined
over $364 million plus interest and is appealing the decision35.
Defamation Lawsuits and Media Settlements (2023–2025)
- Summary: Trump has settled or lost
several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including against ABC News, CBS,
and others, with media firms agreeing to pay millions in donations or
legal fees3.
Additional and Ongoing Controversies
Tax and Property Valuation Disputes (2000–2025)
- Trump has been party to
numerous lawsuits over property tax valuations, business bankruptcy
disputes, and construction conflicts, many ending in court decisions,
settlements, or unresolved litigation316.
Use of Office for Personal Profit
- Summary: Trump faced extensive
scrutiny over mixing government functions and personal financial gain,
such as government spending at Trump-owned properties and business profits
allegedly linked to government actions121718.
Lawsuits Dismissed or Paused after 2025 Election
- Upon return to the presidency
in 2025, remaining criminal proceedings and ongoing legal actions
(including those related to classified material and election interference)
were dropped, paused, or halted due to presidential immunity or Department
of Justice policy5.
Summary Table: Major Confirmed Cases, Scandals, and
Settlements (2000–2025)
|
Year |
Event/Allegation |
Outcome/Settlement |
|
2000 |
German
Trump Tower, NY lobbying |
Settled/Company
Dissolved3 |
|
2009–2013 |
Trump
Baja Resort Lawsuit |
Settled
undisclosed3 |
|
2016 |
Trump
University Fraud |
|
|
2017–19 |
Russia/Mueller
Probe |
No
charges, but findings8 |
|
2019 |
Ukraine
Impeachment |
Senate
acquittal9 |
|
2021 |
Capitol
Riot Impeachment |
Senate
acquittal5 |
|
2022 |
Trump
Org. Tax Fraud |
$1.6M
fine, 17 counts guilty5 |
|
2023 |
E. Jean
Carroll Verdict |
$80M+
for sexual abuse5 |
|
2023–24 |
Georgia
Election Charges |
Charges
dropped (2025)5 |
|
2024 |
Stormy
Daniels Conviction |
|
|
2024 |
Civil
Fraud NY Att’y Gen |
$364M+
in fines/penalties3 |
|
2023–25 |
Defamation/Media
Lawsuits |
Multi-million
settlements3 |
Note: This list reflects major
court-confirmed and officially settled scandals, not all accusations or
unproven allegations.
This
report synthesizes public legal records, major news coverage, official court
findings, and confirmed settlements involving Donald Trump from 2000–2025135.
- https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2017/01/donald-trump-scandals/474726/
- https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/20/us/politics/trump-scandals.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_and_business_legal_affairs_of_Donald_Trump
- https://19thnews.org/2023/10/donald-trump-associates-sexual-misconduct-allegations/
- https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/reports/a62831426/trump-allegations-timeline/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump_sexual_misconduct_allegations
- https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/07/26/13-trump-scandals-you-forgot-about-215420
- https://www.dummies.com/article/academics-the-arts/history/american/scandals-defining-donald-trumps-presidency-269894/
- https://libguides.butler.edu/c.php?g=972012&p=9955539
- https://millercenter.org/president/trump/domestic-affairs
- https://www.thoughtco.com/trump-scandals-4142784
- https://www.citizensforethics.org/news/analysis/president-trumps-worst-offenses/
- https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/donald-j-trump-event-timeline
- https://www.businessinsider.com/trump-melania-stormy-daniels-affairs-marriages-timeline-2018-3
- https://ballotpedia.org/Donald_Trump_indictments,_2023-2025
- https://crushthelsatexam.com/deep-dive-donald-trumps-long-history-of-lawsuits/
- https://www.citizensforethics.org/reports-investigations/crew-investigations/crew-is-tracking-trumps-unprecedented-corruption-again/
- http://oversightdemocrats.house.gov/news/press-releases/100-days-corruption-oversight-democrats-highlight-100-conflicts-interest
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Donald_Trump_controversies
- https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/04/01/trump-investigations-history-timeline/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/False_or_misleading_statements_by_Donald_Trump
- https://civilrights.org/trump-rollbacks/
- https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2025-lawsuits-against-trump-administration/
- https://immigrantjustice.org/blog/leading-with-cruelty-eight-impacts-of-trumps-first-day-executive-orders/
- https://www.lawfaremedia.org/projects-series/trials-of-the-trump-administration/tracking-trump-administration-litigation
- https://www.justsecurity.org/107087/tracker-litigation-legal-challenges-trump-administration/
- https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2025/us/trump-administration-lawsuits.html
- https://www.democracydocket.com/cases/topic/trump-accountability/
- https://www.brookings.edu/articles/tracking-regulatory-changes-in-the-second-trump-administration/
- https://calmatters.org/politics/2025/01/california-trump-lawsuits/
- https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/366336-the-memo-the-top-10-trump-controversies-of-2017/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Trump_administration_controversies
- https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/28/opinion/ezra-klein-podcast-zeke-faux.html
- https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/fact-checking-trumps-2025-address-to-congress
No
other U.S. president has been involved in as many confirmed scandals,
legal indictments, criminal convictions, and settlements as Donald Trump from
2000 to 2025. Trump is unique in having been:
- The first president ever
criminally indicted and convicted on felony charges (34 counts of
falsifying business records related to hush money payments)
- Twice impeached by the House of
Representatives (once for Ukraine and once for incitement of insurrection)
- Facing multiple other felony
criminal charges (including election interference and mishandling
classified documents), some of which were dropped due to presidential
immunity after his re-election in 2025
- Civilly liable for massive
fraud with penalties exceeding $364 million
While
many past presidents were embroiled in major scandals, including corruption,
abuse of power, and personal misconduct, none match the sheer number and legal
gravity of Trump's scandals:
|
President |
Notable Scandals & Legal Outcomes |
Key Differences from Trump |
|
Richard
Nixon |
Watergate
scandal, cover-up, resigned to avoid impeachment |
No
criminal conviction; resigned |
|
Bill
Clinton |
Impeached
for perjury and obstruction (Lewinsky), acquitted |
Impeached
once; no criminal charges or convictions |
|
Andrew
Johnson |
First
impeachment for abuse of power |
Impeached
once; no criminal charges |
|
Warren
G. Harding |
Teapot
Dome scandal involving cabinet bribery |
Scandal
involved cabinet members, not direct criminal charges against Harding himself |
|
Ulysses
S. Grant |
Personal
scandals but no legal charges on presidency |
No
felony indictments or convictions |
Trump’s
combination of two impeachments, his criminal indictment as a former president,
a felony conviction, and ongoing numerous legal investigations is historically
unparalleled13567.
In
summary, Trump stands alone in U.S. history as the president with the most
extensive and legally confirmed scandals, indictments, and convictions.
Previous presidents have faced serious and landmark scandals, but none on this
scale or with such direct criminal accountability1356.
- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/8/15/before-trump-indictments-a-timeline-of-past-presidential-scandals
- https://spyscape.com/article/oval-office-scandals-americas-250-year-history-of-dangerous-liaisons
- https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/nixon-trump-historical-arc-presidential-misconduct-deeply-troubling-ncna1079081
- https://www.surveycrest.com/blog/15-controversial-american-presidents/
- https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/slideshows/the-worst-presidential-scandals-in-us-history
- https://apnews.com/article/trump-indictment-past-presidential-scandals-6fe9d423c42ea7fd945befcb4dd83704
- https://www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/trump-presidential-scandals-history-watergate-rcna194932
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POCk-oeF2is
- https://www.bu.edu/articles/2023/trump-arraigned-for-alleged-actions/
- https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56246507
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